Several reports on Covid-19 in recent days have begun to focus on the presence of tourists from China to Malaysia. Based on the status left by internet users, many want tourists from China to be banned or completely censored after the country reported an increase in cases due to the withdrawal of the Zero Covid policy that was carried out three years ago.
However, the BA.5.2 and BF.7 variants that are dominant in China have actually been detected in Malaysia since the middle of the year. Even without the influx of Chinese tourists, the variant has already spread among local patients.
A more serious focus should be given to the Omicron XBB.1.5 variant which is currently the most dominant variant in the United States accounting for 40% of new infections in the country.
Omicron XBB.1.5 is the variant that scientists are paying attention to now because it spreads up to 120% compared to the Omicron XBB variant that previously caused an increase in infection cases in the world. Omicron XBB.1.5 has undergone the F486P mutation process which makes it able to avoid the body's antibodies from previous Covid-19 infections or through received vaccine injections.
The good news so far is that there is no indication that Omicron XBB.1.5 will cause more severe symptoms than previous Omicron variants. Only with a higher rate of infectivity, it poses a risk to those with low immune defenses and increases the use of hospital beds. The impact on the health system of a country that is already burdened.
Scientists now advise the public to maintain the SOP of wearing a face mask and wash their hands regularly to avoid getting infected. Taking a booster dose is also recommended for those who have not yet taken it.
So far the Ministry of Health has not reported a case of Omicron XBB.1.5 infection in Malaysia. In our busyness asking the government to screen visitors from China more strictly, we should also be aware of the more dangerous risks from the U.S. which is famous for the stubbornness of its people to wear face masks "because it violates freedom" and the anti-vaccine movement which is very intact.