PETALING JAYA: It is just a matter of time before the Omicron variant of Covid-19 spreads here, health experts have warned following the detection of the second such case in the country.
As Omicron has been detected in 77 countries now, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Prof Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh said the new variant will eventually rear its head here.
“While there are controls at main entry points such as Kuala Lumpur International Airport, we are worried about illegal immigrants sneaking in, which would see Covid-19 cases that are undetected,” said the professor of health economics, hospital and health management, when contacted.
Yesterday, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the second Omicron variant case has been detected in the country in an eight-year-old girl who returned from Nigeria with her family.
He also announced that there are 18 more probable cases that are currently undergoing genomic sequencing to determine the variant, adding that the results are expected to be known today.
As Omicron is known to be highly transmissible, Dr Sharifa said booster jabs are highly recommended for those above 18 to avoid a huge spread of the virus in the country.
“The spread is imminent, and it’s just a matter of... how long we can hold the fort at the borders.
“In the meantime, we must boost our immune response through booster jabs, avoid the spread via strict compliance to the standard operating procedure (SOP), avoid congregations, and improve our overall health by staying fit and active,” she added.
Dr Sharifa also welcomed the Health Ministry’s decision to prohibit New Year’s Eve celebrations, adding that the government should also look into new guidelines on congregations and capping workplace attendance at only 70% of capacity.
Medical Practitioners Coalition Association of Malaysia president Dr Raj Kumar Maharajah said he also believes that the Omicron spread is imminent.
“All we can do is to follow the SOP, get vaccinated, pray, and hope for the best,” he said.
However, even if the Omicron variant spreads here, Dr Raj said it may not be as severe as in the United Kingdom as the people here are still largely disciplined when it comes to following the SOP, such as wearing masks.
In the United Kingdom, the variant has spread rapidly, with the country recording its first Omicron-related death.
Its health secretary had also said that the new variant is expected to become the dominant strain there by the middle of this month.
Malaysian Public Health Physicians’ Association president Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar concurred that there is the possibility of local transmission of Omicron.
However, he said as long as people adhere to the SOP and get vaccinated, the situation should be under control.
“There is no need to panic. But the government should continue to ask all sectors to be vigilant and follow the SOPs. Adherence to the SOPs is quite relaxed now,” he said.