Imported Omicron cases still found in Myanmar

10 Feb 2023

DMG Newsroom
10 February 2023, Sittwe

Myanmar still has imported cases of the Covid-19 Omicron variant, according to the junta's Ministry of Health.

Nineteen people who returned to Myanmar on February 6 were infected with Omicron. Omicron BA.5 was detected in nine of them, and BA.2 was detected in eight others, according to the ministry.

Omicron has BA.1, BA.2, BA.4, BA.5 sub-variants and BA.2 is more infectious than BA.1, and resistant to vaccination, according to health officials.

“Symptoms of Omicron sub-variants include muscle ache, cough, loss of smell and runny nose, and are similar to those of flu and other variants of Covid-19. There haven’t been new infections in Arakan State, but Omicron subvariants have been detected in those who have returned from abroad,” said Dr. Zaw Zaw Aung, deputy chief of Arakan State Health Department.

Dr. Zaw Zaw Aung urged people to receive Covid-19 vaccination including booster doses, which can reduce the severity of symptoms and risk of deaths.

In Sittwe, the Health Department provides free Covid-19 vaccines at Sittwe Hospital and the religious hall in Tayarthisu Ward every Wednesday and Friday. People can also receive free Covid-19 vaccines at health departments in other townships in Arakan State.

“People should receive full doses of Covid-19 which can reduce the severity of symptoms and risk of death. But, many fail to do so,” said Dr. Zaw Zaw Aung.

Covid-19 cases are on the rise again in some neighboring and world’s countries. The Health Ministry urged Myanmar people to receive full doses of Covid-19 shots.