THE Public Health Department, Medical Services Department and Medical Research Department cooperate with Military Medical Research Unit to conduct Genome Sequencing as COVID-19 variant surveillance process in line with the guideline of the Ministry of Health. According to its procedure, it has already announced the occurrence of COVID-19 variants in Myanmar such as Alpha, Beta kappa and Delta on 15-6-2021 and 31-8-2021.

Regarding the occurrence of Omicron in the world countries, the Omicron is now present in 63 countries, according to the statement as of the morning of 11-12-2021.

Genome Sequencing is being prioritized to those who are tested positive among the returnees from foreign countries and other patients among the target groups.

On 6-12-2021, a total of 16 samples from Taunggyi, Mandalay, Mawlamyine, Kengtung, Nay Pyi Taw and Yangon were tested at Tatmadaw Medical Research Unit and only 16 were infected with the Delta variant and no one was infected with Omicron as of today. Among the patients with Delta, four returnees were from Thailand, two from Laos and two from Malaysia.

Moreover, the samples are sent to the reference laboratory of WHO of Thailand for laboratory testing and the Medical Research Department of the Ministry of Health and Military Medical Research Unit are also operating the Genome Sequencing promptly as COVID-19 variant surveillance process.

Ministry of Health

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