Keeping the newly-discovered Omicron variant out of one’s borders was always going to be a difficult task.
Somehow, new variants of the coronavirus always make sure to spread around the world as quickly as possible before they’re discovered.
We’ve already confirmed two imported cases here of the new COVID-19 strain, and now, it seems that our friends across the border are dealing with the same issue.
M’sia Has Detected Their First Omicron Case & She Reached M’sia Through S’pore
A foreign student has become the first confirmed case of the Omicron variant in Malaysia, after arriving from South Africa two weeks ago.
The 19-year-old woman, who arrived in Malaysia via Singapore, had tested positive for COVID-19 and was quarantined for 10 days before being released on 29 Nov.
Five other people who shared a vehicle with the student before her quarantine had tested negative.
But after the World Health Organisation (WHO) classed the Omicron strain as a “variant of concern”, the authorities re-tested her positive sample and discovered that she was carrying the new strain.
After which the student, along with eight close contacts, was asked to undergo further testing.
Malaysia had earlier barred travellers from eight southern African countries from entering the country as they either reported cases of the variant or are considered high-risk.
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Two Cases Preliminarily Positive for Omicron Variant in Singapore
Yesterday (2 Dec), the Ministry of Health (MOH) revealed that two passengers who arrived in Singapore from South Africa on a Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight had tested “preliminarily positive” for the Omicron COVID-19 variant.
“The cases are currently recovering in isolation wards at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID). Both are fully vaccinated and have mild symptoms of cough and scratchy throat,” MOH said.
Fortunately, both cases were isolated upon arrival in Singapore on 1 Dec, and had not interacted in the community.
There is currently no evidence of any community transmission from these cases.
The first case is a 44-year-old male Singapore Permanent Resident who arrived in Singapore from Mozambique, transiting through Johannesburg. His pre-departure test in Mozambique on 29 November was negative for COVID-19 infection.
The second case is a 41-year-old female Singaporean who arrived in Singapore from South Africa on 1 December. Her pre-departure test in Johannesburg on 29 November was negative for COVID-19 infection.
It’s important to stress, however, that there’s still a lot we don’t know about the virus. Some experts believe that if it is indeed more transmissible, it could be a good thing because the reported Omicron cases in South Africa have been mild.
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The WHO, however, believes it poses a “high global risk”.
At this point, there’s not much we can do but to keep doing what we’ve been doing for nearly two years.
Sigh, and then hope for the best.
Read Also:
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Featured Image: YuriAbas/ shutterstock.com
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