PETALING JAYA: Fifty-four out of 58 new Covid-19 Omicron variant cases detected were imported from abroad while four were transmitted locally, says the Health Ministry.

       Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said a total of 58 new Covid-19 cases were confirmed to be Omicron variants via whole genome sequencing (WGS) conducted by the Institute for Medical Research (IMR).

       “Out of these 58 cases, a total of 54 cases imported infections from abroad while four cases were transmitted locally.

       “Out of the 54 cases of imported infections, 39 were from Saudi Arabia; seven from the United Arab Emirates; four from the United Kingdom; two from Nigeria; one case from Kazakhstan and France respectively.

       “Meanwhile, the four cases of local transmission are believed to have been infected from a pilgrim who tested positive for a Covid-19 variant of Omicron,” he said in a statement on Tuesday (Jan 4).

       Khairy added that WGS testing on samples showing possible Omicron variants is still underway and the Health Ministry will provide updates regarding the validation of Omicron variants from time to time.

       “With these latest results, the cumulative number of Covid-19 cases detected for the Omicron variant in Malaysia is 122 cases.

       “Of this total, 117 cases were imported infections from abroad while another five cases were local infections.

       “Of the total Omicron variant cases reported, 71 cases (58.2%) were umrah pilgrims.

       “The results of PCR Genotyping Assay conducted by IMR on 1,774 Covid-19 cases among travellers arriving in Malaysia from Dec 1 to Dec 31 found that 1,220 (68.8%) samples showed a possible (presumptive) Omicron variant.

       “Of these 1,220 presumptive variants of Omicron, 928 (76.1%) involved a sample of travellers arriving from Saudi Arabia,” he said.

       Khairy said the four cases of Covid-19 Omicron variant of local transmission were reported in Kedah today.

       “All four cases are close contacts to Covid-19 Omicron variant cases who returned from performing umrah in Saudi Arabia on Dec 12, 2021, and was confirmed positive for the variant on Dec 24, 2021.

       “The patients were exposed to this variant on Dec 13, 2021, and all of them started to show category 2 symptoms on Dec 17, 2021.

       “The Covid-19 RT-PCR test was conducted further on Dec 19, 2021, and the patients tested positive with CT value between 20.80 and 21.49.

       “All of them were given treatment for 14 days at the Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital in Sungai Petani, Kedah,” he said.

       Meanwhile, Khairy urged those who have been directed to undergo mandatory quarantine to continue complying with such instructions such as remaining in a separate room, and not meet with other family members or individuals.

       “Failure to comply with these instructions will result in the transmission of Covid-19 infections including the Omicron variant to family members and in the community.

       “The Health Ministry recommends that eligible individuals receive the Covid-19 vaccine booster dose to achieve the optimal level of protection and prevent severe Covid-19 infection and its complications,” he said.

       Category 1 means a patient is asymptomatic.

       Category 2 is for those with mild symptoms.

       Category 3 cases experience pneumonia while cases in Category 4 have pneumonia and require oxygen. Category 5 patients are in critical stage requiring ventilator support.