Malaysia has reported its first case of the Omicron COVID-19 variant.

The case involved a 19-year-old foreigner, who arrived from South Africa via Singapore on November 19. 

Photo via The Straits Times

The patient arrived before Omicron was declared a variant of concern (VOC). This means the patient arrived before Malaysia enforced the temporary travel ban on selected African countries.

“The student had been fully vaccinated with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine” says Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

She was issued a mandatory 10-day quarantine order and did not exhibit any symptoms throughout.

8 close contacts of the patient will undergo RT-PCR swab tests today.

Meanwhile, Khairy says the Vaccinated Travel Lane between Malaysia and Singapore will continue, despite the Republic reporting two Omicron cases.

Continue adhering to COVID-19 SOPs and take the booster shot immediately when offered!

After we found out about Omicron we went back to do genomic tests on all positive cases from KLIA between 11 and 28 November to see if it is already here. That’s how we detected the case.

— Khairy Jamaluddin 🇲🇾🌺 (@Khairykj) December 3, 2021

By: Roshini Ravindran