Health officials warn of latest Omicron subvariant

By Admin 25 Feb 2023

DMG Newsroom
25 February 2023, Sittwe

In response to a regional rise in cases of the new Covid-19 Omicron subvariant XBB, Myanmar’s Health Ministry has urged health workers and the public to exercise caution.

The latest Omicron subvariant has been on the rise in Myanmar’s neighbours including Bangladesh, China and India, as well as Singapore. The subvariant has been described as the most transmissible strain of Covid-19 so far, more immune-evasive and contagious than its predecessors.

Health officials are urging anyone over the age of 5 to receive full doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, plus booster shots as eligible, as they can reduce the severity of symptoms and risk of death.

“Everyone must receive Covid-19 shots. It will protect them against the virus. Even if they get infected, the vaccine will reduce the severity of symptoms,” said Dr. Zaw Zaw Aung, deputy head of the Arakan State Health Department.

The department is providing free Covid-19 vaccine shots at Sittwe Hospital and in Tayarthisu Ward in the Arakan State capital every Wednesday and Friday. And health departments in other townships also provide free Covid-19 shots at their facilities.

As no infection has been reported for months in Arakan State, people are not following Covid-19 rules, said U Tun Hlaing, who is in charge of Rakhine Covid-19 Watch.

“People aren’t observing Covid-19 rules. The situation is bad in Arakan State. There have been fewer cases across the country, so people are not that serious anymore. But it is still a must for them to follow Covid-19 rules,” he said.

 As of February 25, Myanmar had recorded 633,907 cases of Covid-10 and 19,490 fatalities since the first outbreak in March 2020, according to the Ministry of Health. That included just one new infection reported nationwide on Saturday.