Kuala lumpur: The Ministry of Health (MOH) is closely monitoring the spread of the new COVID-19 variant, XFG, despite the country being in the endemic phase. Its Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, stated that the XFG subvariant of Omicron is not considered worrying in terms of virulence, with only one death recorded so far.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dzulkefly noted that this variant does not cause more severe symptoms compared to other Omicron strains. Although its transmission rate is higher, it is not linked to increased disease severity. Dzulkefly shared these insights during a press conference, mentioning that the XFG subvariant recorded a contagiousness rate of 9.1 per cent, compared with 17.4 per cent for GM1 and 12.7 per cent for XEC.

Dzulkefly emphasized that all subvariants are being closely monitored by MOH through genomic sequencing to enable proactive action should an outbreak occur. He assured that the MOH and the Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC) remain on alert and are not taking the current situation lightly. He advised that those with symptoms should seek immediate treatment, noting that so far, no major outbreaks have been reported, only isolated cases with common symptoms such as respiratory distress.

On a different note, Dzulkefly commented on a recent altercation at a food outlet in Shah Alam involving a pregnant woman and a man, reportedly triggered by smoking in a public place. He mentioned that the case is under police investigation, stressing the importance of smokers respecting the law and ensuring their smoke does not affect vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, children, and the elderly.

Recently, a video showing a man fighting with a couple at a restaurant in Section 7, Shah Alam, went viral, allegedly after he was reprimanded for smoking on the premises. The media reported that the 49-year-old man was arrested at Persiaran Kayangan, Section 9, after returning from Thailand.