The Omicron danger is growing, while new cases in Cambodia are at their lowest level since March 5th.

[ASEAN NOW]

 

Cambodia has reported its lowest daily new COVID case data (diagnosed by PCR test) in an unprecedented period of 61 days of 'new normal' low case numbers while the worldwide danger of the Omicron variant looks to increase.

The official daily new COVID case count (as determined by PCR test) was 22, increasing the overall number of COVID cases to 120,134.

 

To avoid the spread of the hazardous new Omicron mutation, Cambodia has joined Singapore and Thailand in prohibiting travellers from many African nations.

This novel COVID-19 strain, which is highly transmissible and has spread to Asia, Europe, and Australia, has sparked widespread worry.

 

Experts are now asking for a blanket ban on travellers from Omicron-affected countries from visiting Cambodia, which would include the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and many other European nations.

 

Dr. Kun Chhay, a medical expert, believes the new strain B.1.1.529 (omicron) will strike the Kingdom in the next month or two because "we have not put in place stringent measures to prevent or postpone its introduction."

 

In other news, Phnom Penh City Hall has abruptly overturned yesterday night's decision to prohibit high-risk activities and enterprises for another week.

 

This supports the Royal Government's goal of returning to a "new normal" and reopening Cambodia to tourists and industry by treating milder instances of COVID at home.

 

As previously stated, the recent dramatic drop in reported cases is due to a strategy implemented in October that excludes 'quick' testing and'mild' COVID-19 cases from the official daily case counts.

 

Under the prior reporting scheme, there was a general increasing tendency in the Kingdom; however, as seen in the graph below (please note that data may be up to two days late), the last 61 days' results have totally reversed this trend:

Credit Source: Khmer Times

 

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