KUCHING: The infectious Delta variant has been identified as the dominant Covid-19 strain in Sarawak currently, according to the latest report by Universiti Malaysia Sarawak’s Institute of Health and Community Medicine (IHCM).

       IHCM director Prof Dr David Perera said 178 more Delta variant cases were detected out of 220 cases sequenced by the institute as at Aug 17.

       This represents a detection rate of 81% for the Delta variant, a rise from 73% reported on Aug 10.

       “There was also one case of the recently described Indonesian variant of interest (B.1.466.2), which was detected in Bintulu,” he said in a statement yesterday.

       In Kuching division, 68 out of 69 cases sequenced were of the Delta variant.

       Samarahan and Serian divisions also had high detection rates of 93% (38 out of 41 cases sequenced) and 95% (16 out of 17 cases) respectively.

       “In addition, sharp increases in the Delta variant were observed in Bintulu with 84% (20 out of 24 cases), Miri with 65% (nine out of 14 cases) and Sibu at 60% (16 out of 27 cases).

       “The same variant has also been detected in Mukah at a rate of 78%, or seven out of nine cases sequenced,” Dr Perera said, adding that the variant was also detected in one case in Sarikei and two cases in Betong.