![COVID-19: Current Omicron variant not virulent - Public Health Specialist COVID-19: Current Omicron variant not virulent - Public Health Specialist](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-05/81622294767_Saringan.jpg)
COVID-19: Current Omicron variant not virulent - Public Health Specialist
Dr. Tan Seok Hong said most active cases involving the Omicron variant exhibit mild symptoms.
Wed Dec 20 2023
![SARS-CoV-2 virus detected in 28 sewage water samples - Health DG SARS-CoV-2 virus detected in 28 sewage water samples - Health DG](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-12/71607167173_DatukDrNoorHisham.jpg)
SARS-CoV-2 virus detected in 28 sewage water samples - Health DG
COVID-19 environmental surveillance using sewage water showed 28 out of 29 samples taken from international entry points contained the presence of the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Mon Jan 02 2023
![China reports 24,473 new COVID cases; some Beijing businesses shut China reports 24,473 new COVID cases; some Beijing businesses shut](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-11/71668850079_Beijing.jpg)
China reports 24,473 new COVID cases; some Beijing businesses shut
Beijing authorities are on high alert in the hope of preventing the Omicron variant outbreaks in other cities from spreading to the capital.
Sat Nov 19 2022
![Factbox - What are the new BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 coronavirus variants, and why it matters Factbox - What are the new BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 coronavirus variants, and why it matters](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-11/41667703463_vial.jpg)
Factbox - What are the new BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 coronavirus variants, and why it matters
BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 are among the more than 300 sublineages of the Omicron variant circulating globally.
Sun Nov 06 2022
![MOH considering purchasing variant-specific COVID-19 vaccine MOH considering purchasing variant-specific COVID-19 vaccine](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-09/51662549278_KhairyJamaluddin.jpg)
MOH considering purchasing variant-specific COVID-19 vaccine
The Ministry of Health is considering purchasing a variant-specific COVID-19 vaccine that is capable of fighting the Omicron variant.
Wed Sep 07 2022
![China races to contain COVID outbreaks in tourism hubs Tibet, Hainan China races to contain COVID outbreaks in tourism hubs Tibet, Hainan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-08/61660112267_CHINA.jpg)
China races to contain COVID outbreaks in tourism hubs Tibet, Hainan
The authorities are launching more rounds of mass testing and closing venues to contain the highly transmissible Omicron variant.
Wed Aug 10 2022
![Fresh COVID wave sweeps Asia, NZ warns of pressure on hospitals Fresh COVID wave sweeps Asia, NZ warns of pressure on hospitals](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-07/51657782866_SEOUL.jpg)
Fresh COVID wave sweeps Asia, NZ warns of pressure on hospitals
The renewed surge in cases, mostly of the BA.4/5 Omicron variants, provides a further challenge for health authorities.
Thu Jul 14 2022
![Malaysia sequenced two lineages of Omicron variant - Khairy Malaysia sequenced two lineages of Omicron variant - Khairy](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-06/61654689575_TBKJ.jpg)
Malaysia sequenced two lineages of Omicron variant - Khairy
Malaysia has detected two BA.5 and one BA.2.12.1 cases, which are Omicron sub-variants, said Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
Thu Jun 09 2022
![Medicine shortage not due to panic buying - Khairy Medicine shortage not due to panic buying - Khairy](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-06/41654758622_TBKhairyJamaluddin.jpg)
Medicine shortage not due to panic buying - Khairy
Khairy said there is high demand for certain medications following the spread of the Omicron variant and the rising cases of the HFMD.
Thu Jun 09 2022
![Omicron breakthrough infections may spare young hearts; no need to delay mammogram after vaccination Omicron breakthrough infections may spare young hearts; no need to delay mammogram after vaccination](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-02/81644943623_Omicron.jpg)
Omicron breakthrough infections may spare young hearts; no need to delay mammogram after vaccination
The Omicron variant of the coronavirus does not have a negative affect on cardiovascular health in young adults who have been vaccinated.
Tue May 24 2022
![North Korea officially reports first COVID-19 outbreak North Korea officially reports first COVID-19 outbreak](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-11/61605146756_NorthKoreanflag.jpg)
North Korea officially reports first COVID-19 outbreak
The report said people in Pyongyang contracted the Omicron variant.
Thu May 12 2022
![Taiwan may see 10,000 daily COVID cases by month-end Taiwan may see 10,000 daily COVID cases by month-end](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-05/81589511029_taiwan.jpg)
Taiwan may see 10,000 daily COVID cases by month-end
About 80 pct of people are now double vaccinated and more than half have had a booster dose, while mask-wearing mandates continue.
Wed Apr 20 2022
![Omicron: Senior citizens urged to take booster shots for optimal protection Omicron: Senior citizens urged to take booster shots for optimal protection](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-04/71650100832_KhairyJamaluddin.jpg)
Omicron: Senior citizens urged to take booster shots for optimal protection
With the Omicron variant still considered a serious threat, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said optimal protection should be given especially to the elderly and chronic patients.
Sat Apr 16 2022
![China's widening COVID curbs threaten global supply chain paralysis China's widening COVID curbs threaten global supply chain paralysis](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-04/81649900631_SHANGHAI.jpg)
China's widening COVID curbs threaten global supply chain paralysis
Chinas zero-tolerance approach to COVID-19 is proving unwieldy given the extreme infectiousness of the Omicron variant.
Thu Apr 14 2022
![Indonesia's COVID-19 cases cross five million amid Omicron surge Indonesia's COVID-19 cases cross five million amid Omicron surge](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-02/41645112051_VirusOutbreakIndon.jpg)
Indonesia's COVID-19 cases cross five million amid Omicron surge
Indonesia has now recorded over five million COVID-19 cases since March 2020, as the number of cases increased significantly over the past few weeks driven by the Omicron variant.
Thu Feb 17 2022