Omicron strain of SARS-CoV-2 remains dominant in Moldova, ANSP says

Chisinau, 10 Jan. /MOLDPRES/- Following the analysis of the results of the last sequencing carried out at the Virological Laboratory of the National Agency for Public Health (ANSP), in all 16 selected samples the circulation of sublines belonging to the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 was identified. Thus, this strain remains dominant in Moldova.

According to ANSP, the samples were selected from different regions of the country (Chisinau, Basarabeasca, Ialoveni, Cimișlia, Orhei, Străseni), from rural and urban areas, confirmed by molecular biology techniques (rRT-PCR) and subjected to sequencing. In the selected samples, the Omicron variant was confirmed in eight men and eight women.

Sequencing results are integrated into the National Surveillance System and shared in the GISAID EpiCov – international database (www.gisaid.org), where they can be compared and correlated with virus variants with mutations existing in other countries.

ANSP specialists recommend the population to get vaccinated, this being the only effective method to prevent serious cases of illness and death from COVID-19.