MELAKA: The state's first Covid-19 Omicron variant case is a 34-year-old woman returning after performing her pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

       Melaka health and anti-drug committee chairman Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh said the woman and her family members were in Saudia Arabia from Dec 4 to 15.

       "This the first case involving this variant in the state and we have traced eight close contacts in Kuala Lumpur and here and have quarantined them for two weeks.

       "There were 41 individuals from Kuala Lumpur and here who were with her during the pilgrimage and we are tracing all of them," he said on Sunday (Dec 26).

       He said the woman had returned via the King Abdul Aziz International Airport at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Dec 15 on board a Saudi Airlines flight to Kuala Lumpur.

       Dr Muhammad said screening was done on Dec 18 and the woman was found Covid-19 positive together with five others from Kuala Lumpur and here.

       "However, on Dec 25, the woman was tested positive for the Omicron and we are still continuing the examination of the other five," he said.

       Dr Muhamad added the woman has been placed under close observation at an isolated ward in Melaka Hospital.

       More to come