Health ministry, WHO investigate source of Omicron transmission in Borikhamxay

Following detection of the first local case of the Omicron variant in Laos, an investigation is underway to identify the source of infection.
A team from the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation (WHO) has conducted contact tracing and samples were collected from close contacts of the first case in Borikhamxay province.
On February 23, twenty-seven of the samples collected from people in the village where the first Omicron case was detected tested positive for Covid-19.
These specimens have been sent to the Institut Pasteur du Laos for genetic sequencing to identify the variant. Contact tracing and specimen collection is also taking place in neighbouring villages.
“While we wait for further information, I would like to remind everyone that the Omicron variant has been found to be more transmissible than previous variants, and stringent measures should be strictly followed,” warned Minister of Health, Dr Bounfeng Phoummalaysith.
“This includes isolating positive cases and quarantining their close contacts to prevent further community transmission.”
“Globally, Omicron is now the dominant Covid-19 variant and has been detected in almost all countries. However, in Laos, we do not yet know if there is community transmission.”
In the meantime, although local and central authorities are responding to the situation, everyone is encouraged to cooperate with health authorities and to get tested if they have symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has already tested positive.
Anyone who feels unwell, suspects they may have Covid, or tests positive should self-isolate immediately until they test negative for the virus, he added.
“With the detection of the first local case of Omicron in Laos, it is important to highlight what we do know at this stage about Omicron. We know it is more transmissible than previous variants and some studies have shown that there may be more asymptomatic transmission with Omicron compared to other variants,” Dr Bounfeng said.
This variant also has the ability to ‘evade immunity following infection and/or vaccination’. This means that even if you are vaccinated or have previously been infected with Covid-19, you are still at risk of infection from Omicron and can transmit the virus.
Although infection with Omicron may be associated with a lower risk of hospitalisation compared to infection with other variants such as Delta, the risk of severe illness increases for older people, for those with underlying medical conditions and for people who are not yet vaccinated.
However, evidence to date indicates that current approved vaccines are still largely effective against severe disease, hospitalisation and death caused by infection with Omicron.
WHO Representative to Laos, Dr Ying-Ru Jacqueline Lo, said “This is a critical time for Laos. We must continue to reach every community with vaccines to protect priority groups as soon as possible, especially healthcare workers and other essential workers, older and immunocompromised people, those with underlying conditions, at-risk groups in vulnerable settings, and hard-to-reach populations, and then the rest of the population.”
“We encourage people to continue to listen to local health advice and take measures to keep yourself, your loved ones and your community safe,” she added.
These measures include getting vaccinated, wearing a well-fitting mask, maintaining a safe physical distance, avoiding crowds and close contact; ventilation of indoor spaces; covering coughs and sneezes; cleaning hands frequently; and, if you develop symptoms or test positive, isolating until you recover.
 “These measures are also important for another reason – to protect health services from becoming overwhelmed,” Dr Lo added.
In some countries that have experienced Omicron outbreaks, due to the very high number of cases, the number of people requiring hospital care has also increased, putting pressure on healthcare systems.
“While we strongly encourage people to take individual protective measures, especially for those in high-risk categories, we ask for those with mild or no symptoms to isolate at home, to not only reduce the risk of wider community transmission, but also to ensure that hospital beds and ICU beds are kept available for patients who need them most,” Dr Lo said.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update March 7, 2021)