PETALING JAYA: A total of 265 variant of concern (VOC) cases involving the Delta variant have been discovered through research, says the Health Ministry.

       Institutions involved in the research are the Institute of Medical Research (IMR), UiTM Selangor Integrative Pharmacogenomics Institute (iPromise) and Unimas Institute of Health Community Medicine (IHCM).

       "IMR has identified 39 cases of the (Delta) variant, iPromise has discovered 48 cases while Unimas IHCM has found 178 cases," it said it a statement on Tuesday (Aug 31).

       Sarawak tops the list of having the most Delta variant cases from Aug 16-29 with 178 cases, followed by Penang (31) and Pahang (19).

       However, there were no new variant of interest (VOI) cases recorded during the same period.

       There are 1,221 cumulative cases involving VOC and VOI.

       "Overall, up to now, there are 978 cases of the Delta variant, followed by the Beta variant (209) and the Apha variant (14).

       "For VOI, there are 13 cases of the Theta variant, four cases of the Kappa variant and three cases of the Eta variant," he added.