Anti-Omicron campaign kicks off as cases decline
CAMBODIA launched the second national anti-Covid 19 campaign across the country on March 22 with the slogan “Rapid, rampant and risky Omicron is a serious danger to you and your family”.
According to the Ministry of Health, deaths from the Omicron variant in Cambodia had risen to 51, with 13,374 community transmission cases of the highly transmissible strain recorded as of March 22.
“These results show that if individuals continue to neglect their safety, Omicron will continue its invasion and continue to spread in our community. A combination of preventive measures and public participation is required to contain this outbreak,” it said.
Health minister Mam Bun
Heng called on the public to continue practising the three dos and three don’ts and to get a second and booster shots when it is their turn to do so, though daily community transmission cases of the strain have declined to below 100 over the past three days.
Or Vandine, ministry spokeswoman and head of the national Covid-19 vaccination committee, said at the campaign launch event that it is intended to serve as a wake-up call to the people and remind them of their responsibilities as individuals, families and concerned citizens to prevent infections.
“We want people to change some of their views and to dispel the misunderstanding that Omicron is as mild as a common cold. This Omicron variant is not so simple a disease as that,” she said.
World Health Organisation (WHO) representative to Cambodia Li Ailan also reminded the public in a statement that the pandemic was not over yet. She suggested that if people in every country in the world joined with the WHO and health officials of their nation in implementing the preventive measures already known to be effective, then the pandemic would surely end.
She added that taking action today as a community would help contain any large-scale outbreaks tomorrow and in the future.
“I am very proud of Cambodia for responding so well to this latest increase in Covid19 cases. Everybody – ranging from senior officials from the Ministry of Health to health workers and each individual – has strived throughout the country to protect themselves, their communities and the most vulnerable people from Covid-19,” she said.
UNICEF representative to Cambodia Foroogh Foyouzat said the success of the Cambodian government in the fight against Covid-19 was due to its committed and comprehensive public health campaign, including videos and posters in all communities.
“To protect our families, our communities and the most vulnerable people, we must not abandon the good practices that led us to a better situation now. Everybody has an important role to play in preventing the spread of Covid-19,” she said.
Foyouzat added that everyone must continue to work diligently to contain this pandemic in order to avert further losses of life and continue to practise the three dos and three don’ts at all times, wherever they go.