KUCHING: Sarawak has recognized a rapid increase of Covid-19 infections through the BA. 5 Omicron subvariant in recent months.
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak’s Institute of Health and Community Medicine (IHCM) director Prof Doctor David Perera mentioned the subvariant made up 32. 8% of positive cases in the state from early June onwards.
He said a total of 165 examples obtained statewide had been sequenced from Apr 2 to This summer 13, all of which had been detected to be through the Omicron variant of concern.
From these examples, 121 were multiple minor sublineages of the BA. 2 subvariant, 43 of the PURSE. 5 subvariant and another first reported situation of the BA. four subvariant.
“While BA. 2 remains the predominant discovered subvariant over this period of surveillance, an instant increase in the recognition of the BA. 5 subvariant was noticed.
“This can be consistent with the global distribution of this highly contagious Omicron subvariant, which has seen a rapid increase in detection rate in numerous countries, leading to the surge in bacterial infections, ” Dr Perera said in a statement on Thursday (Aug 11).
In view of this, he urged the public to be aware of the heightened risk associated with infection in the condition.
“Please consider getting a booster dosage if you have not done so, particularly for individuals along with comorbidities, those above 50 years and people who have received merely a single dose of the mRNA vaccine, inch he added.