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.
Friday, 07 May 2021 10:28 AM MYT
BY YISWAREE PALANSAMY
Ramsay Sime Darby Healthcare told theedgemarkets.com that none of its hospitals are offering the alleged private registration for Covid-19 vaccination. ― Picture by Yusof Mat Isa
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KUALA LUMPUR, May 7 Ramsay Sime Darby Healthcare today said a viral message going around on WhatsApp, that its hospitals are offering a private Covid-19 inoculation programme for paying corporate clients and individuals keen to obtain quick access, is fake.
The corporation which runs Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC), Ara Damansara Medical Centre (ADMC) and ParkCity Medical Centre (PMC), told
Published on: Sunday, May 02, 2021
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KOTA KINABALU: Malaysia has recorded its first case of the “double mutant” Covid-19 variant originating from India.
In a tweet, Sunday, the Health Ministry said the B.1.617.1 strain was detected from analysis through whole-genome sequencing (WGS) after a screening was conducted at the main international entry point of the country.
The case was detected on an Indian national who was screened at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba, the
New Straits Times reported.
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The B.1.617 variant is feared to be contributing to a drastic increase in Covid-19 cases in India.
Malaysia Airlines files police report for erroneous social media claims about ferrying Indian nationals Details 04 May 2021
Malaysia Airlines (MAB) has filed a police report against two people for their erroneous claims on social media after social media postings circulating online accused the airline of bringing in passengers from India via several of its flights. This was despite Malaysia s temporary ban on entry of Indian nationals. The national carrier clarified in a statement that its flights mounted between 1 to 3 May from India did not carry any passengers other than the flight crew who remained onboard during transit.
In fact, the flights were full cargo flights utilising Malaysia Airlines’ Passenger-to-Cargo aircraft carrying freight comprising pharmaceutical goods, medical supplies, mobile phones, electrical components, and courier packages. As a further precaution, the airline also did not allow any ground maintenanc