JN.1 and HK.1 Omicron sub-variants detected in Sarawak

KUCHING: The HK.3 and JN.1 of the COVID-19 Omicron sub-variants have now been detected in some parts of the state.

In stating this, Prof Dr David Perera, director of the Institute of Health and Community Medicine (IHCM), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) said the institute had successfully sequenced 61 samples, obtained from November to December, this year.

“The dominant Omicron sub-variants detected were HK.3 (26 per cent) and the JN.1 (49 per cent).

These samples were primarily identified in the Kuching- Samarahan areas and with a few cases from Sibu.

Perera revealed this in his latest COVID-19 positive cases surveillance report to Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.

“It is essential to note that the prevalence of the HK.1 and the JN.1 in other areas in the state remain uncertain due to limited data.

“’Notably, the JN.1 sub-variant, initially recorded in the United States in September this year, has rapidly spread and now constitutes a third of all positive cases in the country (USA).

“The JN.1 increased transmissibility and immune-evasiveness, marked by multiple new mutations, has led to the surge in COVID-19 cases worldwide,” he said.

He cautioned, with the detection in the state, the people are strongly advised to recognise the heightened risk of increased infection rate.

“Please take all the necessary precautions to avoid infection and prevent transmission, especially in view of the coming festive period.

“This is crucial to protect all and in particular, those vulnerable individuals,” Perera said.

Adding further, he said the Institute of Health and Community Medicine (IHCM) is monitoring the SARS-CoV-2 variants in Sarawak as part of the national surveillance initiative.