KUCHING: The COVID-19 Omicron variant infection is definitely not just mild flu as it will pose challenges to the high risk groups, including the elderly and those with diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity.
Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian said this was based on his personal experience who contracted the virus last week and with his professional medical background.
Sim was tested positive on Feb 28 as an asymptomatic case (Category 1) and transient with mild symptoms (Category 2A). He was fully vaccinated with a booster shot.
“Thanks to vaccination (completed two doses + booster), only category 1 and transient category 2A during the last seven days,” he posted on his Facebook page today.
“My personal experience with my professional medical background is definitely not mild flu. (It) will pose challenges for the elderly and those who are at high risk with diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity.”
Sim, who is also the Public Health, Housing, and Local Government Minister said the COVID-19 recovery phase – potential for systemic inflammation process for day seven to 19, hence, it was necessary to be aware with the appropriate anti-inflammatory measures.
He said COVID-19 primary target is the lung, hence, it will take time to recover from the virus injury.
Sim, who completed his seven days’ quarantine at home, also posted a photo of his self-testing result, which was negative.
Last week, he had gone for a Reaction Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test as a pre-travel requirement for an overseas official trip and was shocked that the result came back positive.
He said this was despite his daily morning self-testing for the last few days having been negative and he had followed all the COVID-19 standard operating procedure (SOP) and double masking with frequent hand washing.
He added that the current Omicron variant was very infectious and challenging to fight the surge of the cases.
