Analysis to Identify Variants

Yang Berhormat also stated that as previously informed, the Ministry of Health continues to conduct gene sequencing analysis to identify the types of COVID-19 variants detected in the country even in the current situation where daily cases have decreased.

Since early January 2022, 1,593 samples from COVID-19 positive cases have undergone gene sequencing tests in which 87.9 percent of the samples were found to be from the Omicron variant. Meanwhile, one case has been detected as the Omicron BA-4 variant. The case arrived in the country from South Africa on 25th April 2022 and only have mild symptoms. At present, the case has fully recovered. Globally, the number of cases of Omicron BA-1 and BA-2 variants are higher than the number of cases of Omicron BA-4 and BA-5 variants. Therefore, the inclusion of cases with Omicron variants BA-4 and BA-5 are not expected to result in a significant increase in cases in the country. With the inclusion of this Omicron BA-4 variant, the public are advised not to feel anxious or worried. The Ministry of Health will constantly monitor the development of COVID-19. The public are advised to follow the current SOPs.

Source: Radio Television Brunei