HEADLINE-MICRON: PHNOM PENH, Cambodia- WHO representative in Cambodia, Dr Li Ailan says Cambodia need not panic over Omicron variant

Cambodia’s Omicron cases increase to 66 with 14 new imported cases recorded Saturday

The arrival of the newly emerging Omicron variant in Cambodia does not mean we need to “panic.”

Rather, Cambodians need to remember and implement the  usual effective COVID-19 precautions while the New Year is ushered in.

Dr. Li Ailan, WHO representative in Cambodia, who has been tirelessly traversing the country with Ministry of Health officials in its fight against COVID-19 and its variants said “Cambodia has done an outstanding job of rolling out COVID-19 vaccinations to all the eligible population including health care workers, the elderly and other high risk and vulnerable groups.

“COVID-19 vaccines and vaccinations are one of the most critical tools in the fight against COVID-19. The vaccines are highly effective for reducing severe disease and hospitalisation, and saving lives, but they are not enough on their own to prevent COVID-19 infections. We need to keep doing what we’ve been doing since the beginning of the pandemic: following the 3 dos and 3 don’ts in Cambodia, which are effective against COVID-19 regardless of variant,” she said.

She added that even if one is  are already fully vaccinated, they have to make sure that they are  wearing their mask especially when being indoors or around other people, keep physical distance of at least 1.5 meters from other people, cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing, keep their hands clean with sanitizer or handwashing, and increase ventilation in closed places.

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“Most importantly, if you feel unwell, please stay away from others, seek medical care and get tested for COVID-19. These practices and behaviours have worked against the original COVID-19 virus, against Delta, and they will work against Omicron and other variants too.”

The pandemic remains a threat to lives and livelihoods. As long as transmission continues anywhere in the world, the virus can continue to mutate as we have seen from the emergence of the Omicron variant. Mutations are to be expected, it is what viruses do.

Omicron has been designated as a variant of concern (VoC) because it has multiple mutations that may have an impact on how it behaves including the higher transmissibility.

As Omicron is a new variant, we are still learning about its transmissibility, severity, and how it may impact those who are vaccinated. This uncertainty can cause people to become anxious, and while this is a normal human reaction, the best thing to do is to focus on the things that we can do such as being vigilant and acting responsibly. We already know what works for all individuals: the 3 dos and the 3 don’ts.

At the same time, we need to remember that the Delta variant is still present in Cambodia and is a highly transmissible, dangerous variant. Omicron’s importation into the country is a reminder not to become complacent with COVID-19 protection measures just yet. A rapid increase in cases if Omicron spreads in the community is highly likely, and we all need to be careful. We need to be read for a possible surge.

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