SARS-CoV-2 in Malaysia: A surge of reinfection during the predominantly Omicron period
Su Lan Yang, Hoon Shien Teh, Jing Lian Suah, Masliyana Husin, Wen Yea Hwong
Abstract
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 evolved rapidly from the original strain.1 While COVID-19 control measures are relaxed with country's transition to endemicity, it is imperative to be mindful that as SARS-CoV-2 continues to mutate and circulate. Reinfection has also become increasingly common due to the dominance of the highly transmissible variants, immunity evasion, and inadequate preventive strategies from the public because of pandemic fatigue.2 Case surveillance is underpinned by the National Testing Strategy, and comprehensive data of the COVID-19 situation is open access, but the reinfection rate during the Omicron period warrants deeper analysis due to Malaysia's socio-economic, demographic, and vaccine platform compositions that are more comparable to regional countries.