KUCHING: The Omicron BA.5 sub-variant remains the dominant variant in Sarawak, representing 75 per cent of all detections done from Sept 28 to Nov 27 this year.
Director of the Institute of Health and Community Medicine, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) Professor Dr David Perera said a total of 309 samples of positive cases from throughout the state were successfully sequenced over the period.
He said all were detected as the B.1.1.529 (Omicron) Variant of Concern (VOC).
“The BA .5 accounted for approximately 75 per cent (or 230 samples), followed by the Omicron recombinant variant, XBB (18 per cent or 56 samples), and the BA.2 (6 percent or 20 samples),” he said.
“Additionally, three cases of the recently described recombinant Omicron Variant, XAZ were also detected in the Kuching Division,” he said.
Dr Perera said this in his latest SARS-COV-2 Genomic Surveillance in Sarawak to Sarawak Disaster Management Committee ((SDMC) Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah here today.
He added that a detailed analysis of the Omicron VOC showed that multiple sub lineages of the BA.5 are circulating in Sarawak, including recently described sub lineages BF.27, BL.1, BM1.1,BN.1,BQ.1, CP.1, CQ.1, CR.1.
“We also see a notable rise in the detection of the XBB recombinant variant in the state with the XBB.1sublineage dominant but with other sub lineages (XBB.2, XBB.3 and XBB 4) also being detected.
“In view of the rise of more transmissible Omicron lineages in the state, the general public is strongly advised to be aware of the heightened risk of an increase in infection rates.
“Please consider getting a booster shot if you have not done so and particularly for individuals with comorbidities, those above 50 years of age and those who had previously received only a single dose of mRNA vaccine,” he added.
