PHNOM PENH: Secretary of State for the Ministry of Health, Or Vandine, warned Cambodians to be vigilant against the latest Covid-19 variant as new cases in neighboring countries and around the world increase.

Cambodia’s Ministry of Health released a statement citing a press release from the Bangkok Post on May 27, 2023, that reported the Siriraj Piyamaharajkarun Hospital is no longer able to accept Covid-19 patients as they have reached full capacity as the latest Omicron variant (XBB.1.5) spreads.

The MoH statement read, “After the WHO (World Health Organization) declared that Covid-19…is no longer a public health emergency of international concern, some of [the] general population in the world seem too negligent and pacifist, and not getting Covid-19 vaccine booster doses to boost their immune system… [which allows greater]opportunity for the virus to circulate…possible due to the misconception that the Covid-19 crisis is over. In fact, it is not ended yet.”

Sec. Or Vandine emphasized that personal precautions must be taken for the sake of good health and to prevent a return to the same hardships as before. She added that we don’t know how long it will take for the virus to mutate, and it may come back more severe and contagious than before.

She finished with a call-to-action from the public to unite in protecting public health and learning to live with the presence of all viruses/microbes, including Covid-19, with a sense of responsibility and preparedness, noting the importance of maintaining good mental health in the process.