PHNOM PENH: The Ministry of Health has announced on Tuesday this week the discovery of the first Omicron variant of Covid-19. It was discovered from a Cambodian pregnant woman travelling from Ghana, who is now undergoing treatment in the capital.

 Prime Minister Hun Sen has assured the public that there is nothing to worry, but EAC News reporter Yuri Matoszko hit the streets of Phnom Penh to verify what is the public reaction over the Omicron variant being finally present in Cambodia.

A 15-week pregnant Cambodian woman is now undergoing treatment in the capital. This was after she tested positive of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 upon arrival in the kingdom. The 23-year-old woman travelled from Ghana, Dubai, Thailand then finally landing in Cambodia.

According to the Ministry of Health, the woman who hails from Bavet City in Svay Rieng province arrived in Cambodia on last Sunday. She is vaccinated with the single shot Johnson & Johnson. She tested positive in the rapid testing upon arrival. Then she underwent another testing through PCR for confirmation. Health authorities found out that she is carrying the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

But with the daily infection of Covid-19 decreasing in remarkable standards, reaching only 7 new infections this Thursday, 16 of December, there is no doubt the general public might be afraid the new variant can put everything in risk.

Phone seller Kep Kimleang says, “I’m worry, because this is a new variant and we are not sure yet about the efficiency of the vaccine against it. All we know is the efficiency to the last Covid-19 variant. We should be all united to implement the safety protocol, such as wearing a mask, spraying alcohol…Because we don’t know how malignant is this disease.”

Phone Seller Heang says, “I am more afraid than the Delta variant because it says it’s more malignant than the Delta variant. So, we need to implement 3 do’s 3 don’ts together.”

Food vendor SreyDa says, “I’m worry but I don’t know what to do with it. I do wear a mask and spray alcohol, but when I stay alone, I don’t wear it. Although when I open the shop, I wear it.”

Another phone seller Thida says, “I worry because I have a small children and old mother easy to infect but no other choice than wearing a mask. For me as a seller I wear mask all the time but when I stay alone or with family, I take it off because it’s difficult to breath.”

On Wednesday, at the inauguration ceremony of the Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh Hotel, Prime Minister Hun Sen has assured people that there is nothing to worry. The Ministry of Health is doing their best to keep it under control, although only vaccines are not enough to contain the spread of the new variant. Public mobilization is necessary.

The new Covid-19 variant, Omicron, has been already detected in 70 countries around the world. Now, it has been just detected here, in Cambodia. Although Prime Minister Hun Sen has reassured the country won’t be closed again, he has reminded all citizens to strictly follow health measures, such as the 3 don’ts and 3 don’ts.