Covid-19: Local strains may be fuelling infections Veena Babulal
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia could be home to several superspreading, local SARS-CoV-2 variants that are slipping off the health authorities radar. According to virologists, while the Health Ministry was focusing on imported variants of concern (VoC), especially the dreaded B1617 from India, unidentified local strains could be fuelling the current wave of infections. Professor Dr Sazaly Abu Bakar, who heads Universiti Malaya s Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre, said the facility identified two potential local strains recently. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. Right now, the VoC is the Indian double mutant, but it is likely that a new variant is fuelling this current outbreak, Sazaly said.
This brings the total number of cases to
61,536.
19 of the cases announced on May 15 are in the community. There are no new cases in the dormitories.
The remaining 12 cases are imported.
Overall, the number of new cases in the community has increased from
43 cases in the week before to
103 cases in the past week. The number of unlinked cases in the community has also increased from
six cases in the week before to
16 cases in the past week.
19 cases in the community
There are 19 cases in the community, of whom 17 are linked to previous cases and two are currently unlinked.
Dr. Marie Gréta Roy Clément, the Minister of Public Health informs the population that two variants of Covid-19, Brazilian and English have been detected on the national territory.
28 Apr 2021 / 16:37 H. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba during a press conference on the latest developments of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme at the Ministry of Health today. Bernama
PUTRAJAYA: The daily data and analysis report on Covid-19 issued by the Health Ministry is valid and accurate and verified at all levels of the ministry, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba.
“The Covid-19 data in Malaysia is handled in accordance with stipulated procedures to ensure their accuracy and validity,” he said in response to an allegation that the data on Covid-19 in the country was fabricated.
In a joint press conference on the development of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme with its coordinating minister, Khairy Jamaluddin, here today, Dr Adham said Malaysia has recorded a total of 398,451 Covid-19 cases as of yesterday (April 27).
Daily Covid-19 tally is verified data, no fabrication involved, says Health Minister thestar.com.my - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thestar.com.my Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.