Covid-19 Watch: New cluster with one Omicron variant case detected in Labuan

LABUAN: A new Covid-19 cluster has emerged in Labuan over the past 24 hours, recording 13 cases with one of them being Omicron variant.

Labuan Health Department director Dr Ismuni Bohari said the cluster dubbed Jalan OKK Awang Besar Saudi was triggered by an Umrah pilgrim who returned to the island on Dec 21 last year and had interacted with several family members and other individuals.

Dr Ismuni said the Covid-19 Omicron variant patient was currently undergoing quarantine alongside other family members.

"This patient had been tested positive for the Omicron variant after returning from Umrah pilgrimage on Dec 21, and he has shown no symptoms," he told Bernama on Wednesday (Jan 5).

Dr Ismuni said tracing of close contacts of all the 13 patients were being carried out, as one of them was said to have gone to the New Year sales booth event at the International Sea Sports Complex recently.

Labuan recorded two-digit Covid-19 cases on Jan 2 with 15 cases before dropping to two cases the next day (Jan 3).

Dr Ismuni said although Covid-19 cases in Labuan were ‘still manageable’, it was crucial for all parties to remain vigilant and comply with the standard operating procedure and avoid crowded places.

Labuan had cumulative infections of 10,863 including 15 new cases reported on Wednesday.

According to Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin’s statement on Jan 4, a total of 122 cases of Omicron variant were reported nationwide as of Jan 4, of which 117 cases were imported and the remaining five were local infections.