8 January 2022
The genome sequencing for umrah returnees to Sabah is still pending, said state Health director Datuk Dr Rose Nani Mudin.
She added this also applies to the wife of a man in Tawau who tested positive for the Covid-19 Omicron variant on Jan 4.
The couple had performed the Umrah in Mecca between Dec 9 and 16, returned to the country via Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) on Dec 19 and reached their hometown in Tawau the following day.
Dr Rose said the man was the only confirmed Omicron case in Sabah.
“For the wife, we have taken her samples for genome sequencing but it has yet to be completed. It will take three weeks. Both of them have also completed their quarantine and are well.
“The same goes for other returnees from overseas, they will be screened at the entry points of the country where the genome sequencing will also be conducted,” she said, after launching the blood donation and healthcare carnival at Asia City Complex here.
To contain the spread of Omicron in the state, Dr Rose said it would be based on the standard operating procedure (SOP) set by the Health Ministry and World Health Organisation whereby travellers from other countries will have to abide by the quarantine requirement.
She added for those coming from high risk countries, travellers will have to undergo isolation in Kuala Lumpur while the rest may do so at the hotel or home depending on the state guidelines.
With the emergence of the Omicron cluster in Labuan, Dr Rose assured that preventive measures will be the same for inbound visitors to Sabah at all entry points which are via Jesselton Point here and Menumbok in Kuala Penyu by sea or Kota Kinabalu International Airport by air.
On the recent flooding, Dr Rose said there had yet to be any report of Covid-19 cases at the temporary relief centres.
“The Sabah Health department has been monitoring the situation at the centres and ensuring flood victims are being screened.
“Victims also have their respective cubicles to separate them and they have been told to keep their distance from others.”
The two-day carnival is jointly organised by 15 Lions Club and private clinics, and is targeting 500 pints of blood for hospitals.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Sabah Malaysian Red Crescent Association for collecting 9,371 pints of blood throughout 2021.
“Donating blood is our shared responsibility as people of Sabah, especially when Sabah has the highest number of Thalassaemia patients at 1,788, and each of them needs two pints of blood every month.”
Source: www.nst.com.my
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