In a renewed call for vigilance, the Ministry of Health has alerted the public to the persistent threat posed by new Covid-19 variants, emphasising the necessity of wearing masks and washing hands with soap or hand sanitisers. 

The precautionary measure comes despite the less severe nature of the Omicron JN.1 variant, underscoring the ongoing battle against the pandemic.

Koy Vanny, secretary of state and spokesperson for the ministry, stated on January 2 that on December 30, 2023, the authority detected 11 cases of the variant, with none of the patients experiencing severe symptoms or having travelled abroad. 

He added that the increase in cases indicated that new variants were present in communities and that individuals could contract the disease. 

“I would like to remind the people that Omicron JN.1 is less severe and is a Variant of Interest (VOI), not a Variant of Concern (VOC),” he stated. 

He urged the public to remain vigilant to curb its spread. 

“On behalf of the health ministry, we must call for public attention and adherence to health measures, although the new variant of Covid-19, Omicron JKN.1, is not of much concern. The public should still wear masks and wash their hands often with soap or alcoholic gel,” he stated. 

He also encouraged the public to get booster shots and seek health checks if they suspect they have an uncommon health condition. 

Vei Samnang, provincial governor of Kampong Speu, announced on January 2 that he had urged people in his province to get vaccinated, receive booster shots and apply preventive measures. 

He noted that the province had carried out a mobile vaccination campaign in which services were brought to people in rural areas. 

According to the ministry, as of January 1, 2024, 95.93 per cent of the Kingdom’s 16 million citizens had been vaccinated.

As of January 2, the country recorded a total of 139,015 Covid-19 cases, with 135,939 recoveries and 3,056 deaths.