KUCHING, Sept 13: The genomic sequencing on the SARS-COV 2 variants in the State by Universiti Malaysia Sarawak’s (Unimas) Institute of Health and Community Medicine (IHCM) has confirmed that the Delta variant is “currently the dominant circulating Covid-19 variant” in the State.
According to IHCM’s director Prof Dr David Perera, as of Aug 31, a total of 303 additional Variants of Concern (VOCs) were detected from 307 positive cases sequenced.
“All VOCs detected were of the Delta(B.1.617.2) variant.
“The overall Delta variant detected rate of 99 per cent observed in this report represents an increase from the 82 per cent reported by IHCM on August 2 recently.
“Thus, the data suggests that the Delta variant is currently the dominant circulating variant in Sarawak,” he said.
Dr David said this in his latest report to Sarawak Disaster Management Committee chairman (SDMC) Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas today.
At the same time, the IHCM has been helping SDMC to track the SARS-COV 2 variants circulating in Sarawak.
Dr David added such situation had occurred in Kuching, Serian, Samarahan, Sri Aman, Betong, Sarikei, Mukah, Miri and Limbang Divisions as well as Import A cases with 100 per cent detection rate.
The Sibu and Kapit Divisions on the other hand had registered 97 per cent while the Bintulu Division reported 98 per cent detection rates. — DayakDaily
