Omicron Has Arrived In Malaysia: Student From South Africa Identified As First Case
It was detected in a student from South Africa who travelled from KLIA to Ipoh.
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After the announcement of the new Omicron variant last week, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin reports today (3 December) that the first case of Covid-19 variant Omicron has been detected in Malaysia.
According to The Star, the case involved a non-citizen traveller from South Africa via Singapore on 19 November.
The traveller is a 19-year-old student studying in a private university in Ipoh, Perak and underwent the RT-PCR Test upon arrival at KLIA and travelled to Ipoh using the university bus.
The student is self-isolating in the accommodation provided by the university in Ipoh.
According to Malaysiakini, five other people who were on the bus together with the student are quarantined as well.
Khairy said eight close contacts of the detected Omicron case will undergo RT-PCR swab tests today.
Travellers arriving at KLIA from high-risk countries will wear tracking device throughout their quarantine period.
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin
When the world first heard of Omicron
Since South Africa reported about the Omicron variant, some countries including Malaysia have imposed a travel ban to seven African countries.
READ MORE: New Variant Named Omicron, Malaysia Imposes Travel Ban To 7 African Countries
However, the World Health Organization recommends enhanced surveillance and sequencing of cases, while maintaining effective public health measures instead of imposing travel bans.
READ MORE: New Omicron Strain Detected By South African Scientists But Africa Gets Banned Instead
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