Health Minister warns of new Covid-19 wave, Omicron BA.5 detected in M’sia

Politics
8 Jul 2022 • 3:07 PM MYT
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Image from: Health Minister warns of new Covid-19 wave, Omicron BA.5 detected in M’sia

Photo: Malay Mail

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin today warned Malaysians about the new Covid-19 wave to hit the country. He also mentioned that the Omicron BA.5 sublineage is present in Malaysia.

“The BA.5 variant has been detected in Malaysia,” he said. 5 cases were detected here, as of 30 June. “It may have already been widely spread,” Khairy added.

The MoH predicts that BA.5 will increase the number of Covid-19 infections in Malaysia. It has “immune escape properties,” which can re-infect those who already had Covid-19 within a short period of time after recovery.

Second booster encouraged

  • Due to the increase in Covid-19 cases, Malaysians are encouraged to get their second booster dose at selected PPVs found at https://protecthealth.com.my/
  • The elderly (aged 60+) are encouraged to fix appointments via the MySejahtera app
  • Children aged 5 to 11 who are immunocompromised are encouraged to get their booster dose too
  • MoH still has not approved Covid-19 vaccines for children below 5 years old

Public responsibility

  • Malaysians are encouraged to report their Covid-19 test results to the MySejahtera app so the MoH can get a more accurate data of the positivity rate for coronavirus
  • If you are infected and of high-risk (elderly, obese, has cancer, diabetes, or heart disease), you are encouraged to report yourself to the CAC and receive the appropriate treatment from KKM
  • Follow the current SOPs. Khairy noted that some Malaysians have been lax about mask-wearing in closed spaces, and reminded them that it is still compulsory, or risk a fine should the compound be enforced again under Act 342 of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988

‘Balik kampung’ for Hari Raya Aidiladha

  • Malaysians who are returning to their hometowns are encouraged to do Covid-19 self-tests

Monkeypox in Johor

  • A 45-year-old Malaysian man who was found to be infected with monkeypox in Singapore had been to Johor Bahru, most recently on 2 and 3 July, where he was found to be symptomatic.
  • 15 people here and in Singapore were found to be in contact with him. 14 of them are currently asymptomatic while another person is being isolated in Singapore.