Vientiane (VNA) – Laos has found first infection case of Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, the country's National Taskforce Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control said during a press briefing January 6.

The committee revealed that Omicron variant had been detected in a passenger arriving on Flight AK7552 from Malaysia on January 2.

The flight carried 42 people who were tested for COVID-19, with two people from the same family testing positive for the virus. Omicron variant was detected in one of the two patients who had traveled from India, through Sri Lanka, transferring in Malaysia before arriving in Laos. Both had been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

The patients are undertaking quarantine at a location arranged by the committee. Meanwhile, the quarantine hotel where other passengers from the flight are staying has been instructed to take strict precautions, ensuring the individuals remain in their rooms at all times, in order to contain the spread of the variant.

Speaking at the press conference, Lao Ministry of Health's representative Rattanaxay Phetsouvanh advised the public not to panic and to take precautions as advised by the government, while anyone who has had contact with passengers from the flight must immediately and strictly self-isolate for 14 days.

Rattanaxay said his hinistry will do its utmost to protect the society from COVID-19 by accelerating the vaccination programme to reach 70 percent of the population, including booster shots, as soon as possible./