BY Izah Azahari

The discovery of new Omicron variants or sub-variants comes as no surprise. For as long as COVID-19 remains, variants will continue to exist, Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar said at the daily press conference on Thursday.

The new Omicron sub-variants, BA.4 and BA.5, found in South Africa appear to be more transmissible, with the World Health Organization (WHO) monitoring the situation to determine if they are variants of concern.

The monitoring also determines whether the new sub-variants impact the national economy or re-opening of a country, Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham said.

The minister said, “It is vital to remember that at the end of the day, it is still COVID-19, albeit a new variant or sub-variant of the Omicron. What we hope for is to be able to control the situation with the availability of vaccines and antiviral medication.”

To date, the sub-variants have not affected the Sultanate’s endemic phase, the minister said, before expressing hopes that the public will continue to follow closely the standard operating procedures (SOPs) in place while travelling abroad.

Meanwhile, the Sultanate has seen a slight increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, which Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham opined was “expected” in view of the ongoing Hari Raya celebration and open house visits.

The figure leads the Ministry of Health (MoH) to believe that the public actively performs antigen rapid tests (ART) on a large scale, he said, adding that “if the number of cases were lower and in the 20s, it would be of concern to the MoH, indicating that many are possibly not screening for infection.

“The increase in cases is somewhat worrisome, but the MoH is confident the public is still adhering to SOP, particularly performing the ART”, said the minister.

Hopeful that the Sultanate has taken rein of the situation, he said the Categories 4 and 5 figures are the most important to look out for.

“There will be cases, but if we follow the SOPs, and get vaccinated or boosted, Insya Allah the situation will remain under control,” Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham said.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin