SEVENTEEN of the 122 Omicron infections detected on Tuesday comprise unvaccinated travellers who entered Malaysia, said Health Director-General Dr Noor Hisham today.

He said health authorities are conducting a “thorough investigation” into the matter as non-vaccinated people are barred from entering the country.

“A total of 122 Omicron cases have been confirmed via whole genomic sequencing as of January 4.

“Of the cases, 17 (14%) are not vaccinated as required. A thorough investigation is ongoing.”

Of the 17 unvaccinated travellers, four flew in from the United Arab Emirates; four from the United Kingdom; four from Nigeria; and one each from Australia, Ghana, Ireland, Saudi Arabia and the United States.

Seven travellers are foreigners and 10 are locals.

Of the 122 Omicron cases, 71 (58%) are umrah returnees from Saudi Arabia.

Malaysia has banned umrah travel for a month from January 8, following a sudden surge of Covid-19 and Omicron cases.

It has recorded 245 of the new variant’s cases, of which 157 (64%) comprise umrah returnees. – January 6, 2022.