1. The Ministry of Health is continuously conducting “COVID-19 Molecular Disease Surveillance”, and releasing information on the detection of COVID-19 cases and SARS CoV-2 Omicron Variant from those who return by commercial flights and relief flights, and via land borders in a real-time manner.

2. The 17 laboratory samples of the COVID-19 virus of positive cases to the Department of Medical Research and the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant BA.5 and its variants were found in nine laboratory samples and BA.2 in eight laboratory samples on 6 February 2023. The laboratory samples that tested BA.2 contain two variants that detected XBB.1 subvariants.

3. Nine patients with BA.5 and five patients with BA.2 (including two with XBB.1) are returnees from foreign countries and the other three patients with BA.2 were local transmissions. They all were in complete isolation since they tested positive for COVID-19, and are in good condition at present.

4. According to the findings of international countries, Omicron variants cause less severe illness and fewer deaths among those who are fully vaccinated.

5. Therefore, the Health Ministry is stepping up the COVID-19 disease monitoring and containing measures plus disease prevention, control and treatment activities.

Ministry of Health

#The Global New Light of Myanmar