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                                        <title>Virus Variants | MalaysiaNow</title>
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                                        <description>News, views and insights into Malaysian current affairs.</description>
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                                <title><![CDATA[ No cases of Omicron XE in Malaysia so far, says Khairy ]]></title>
                                <link>https://www.malaysianow.com/news/2022/04/05/no-cases-of-omicron-xe-in-malaysia-so-far-says-khairy</link>
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                                <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Bernama ]]></dc:creator>
                                <pubDate>Tue, 05 Apr 2022 08:38:53 GMT</pubDate>
                                <description><![CDATA[ He says his ministry is looking into the latest mutation of the Omicron variant to determine its infectivity rate and severity. ]]></description>
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                                <title><![CDATA[ Omicron ‘stealth’ variant BA.2 now dominant globally ]]></title>
                                <link>https://www.malaysianow.com/out-there-now/2022/03/29/omicron-stealth-variant-ba-2-now-dominant-globally</link>
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                                <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Reuters ]]></dc:creator>
                                <pubDate>Tue, 29 Mar 2022 04:31:16 GMT</pubDate>
                                <description><![CDATA[ BA.2 now represents nearly 86% of all sequenced cases, according to the World Health Organization. ]]></description>
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                                <title><![CDATA[ ‘Deltacron’ likely result of lab error, experts say ]]></title>
                                <link>https://www.malaysianow.com/out-there-now/2022/01/11/deltacron-likely-result-of-lab-error-experts-say</link>
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                                <dc:creator><![CDATA[ AFP ]]></dc:creator>
                                <pubDate>Tue, 11 Jan 2022 00:30:08 GMT</pubDate>
                                <description><![CDATA[ While it is possible for coronaviruses to genetically combine, it is rare, and scientists analysing the discovery of so-called 'Deltacron' say it is unlikely. ]]></description>
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                                <title><![CDATA[ Delta still dominates, say experts urging third jab ]]></title>
                                <link>https://www.malaysianow.com/out-there-now/2021/12/05/delta-still-dominates-say-experts-urging-third-jab</link>
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                                <dc:creator><![CDATA[ AFP ]]></dc:creator>
                                <pubDate>Sun, 05 Dec 2021 01:05:22 GMT</pubDate>
                                <description><![CDATA[ Lab tests are under way to determine vaccine efficacy against Omicron with results expected within weeks. ]]></description>
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                                <title><![CDATA[ World races to contain new Covid variant ]]></title>
                                <link>https://www.malaysianow.com/out-there-now/2021/11/28/world-races-to-contain-new-covid-variant</link>
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                                <dc:creator><![CDATA[ AFP ]]></dc:creator>
                                <pubDate>Sun, 28 Nov 2021 01:05:18 GMT</pubDate>
                                <description><![CDATA[ Scientists are racing to determine the threat posed by the heavily mutated strain, which is more transmissible than the dominant Delta variant, and whether it can evade existing vaccines. ]]></description>
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                                <title><![CDATA[ Dutch find 61 Covid positive on ‘dystopia’ flights from South Africa ]]></title>
                                <link>https://www.malaysianow.com/out-there-now/2021/11/28/dutch-find-61-covid-positive-on-dystopia-flights-from-south-africa</link>
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                                <dc:creator><![CDATA[ AFP ]]></dc:creator>
                                <pubDate>Sun, 28 Nov 2021 01:00:48 GMT</pubDate>
                                <description><![CDATA[ Passengers say they endured miserable hours at the arrivals hall to get tested, with witnesses saying many people failed to wear face masks or keep to social distancing. ]]></description>
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                                <title><![CDATA[ New strain dubbed Omicron, declared ‘variant of concern’ ]]></title>
                                <link>https://www.malaysianow.com/out-there-now/2021/11/27/new-strain-dubbed-omicron-declared-variant-of-concern</link>
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                                <dc:creator><![CDATA[ AFP ]]></dc:creator>
                                <pubDate>Sat, 27 Nov 2021 01:32:34 GMT</pubDate>
                                <description><![CDATA[ The classification puts Omicron into the most-troubling category of Covid-19 variants, along with the globally dominant Delta, plus its weaker rivals Alpha, Beta and Gamma. ]]></description>
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                                <title><![CDATA[ Too early to know if Covid variant needs new vaccine, says EU drug regulator ]]></title>
                                <link>https://www.malaysianow.com/out-there-now/2021/11/27/too-early-to-know-if-covid-variant-needs-new-vaccine-says-eu-drug-regulator</link>
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                                <dc:creator><![CDATA[ AFP ]]></dc:creator>
                                <pubDate>Sat, 27 Nov 2021 01:05:39 GMT</pubDate>
                                <description><![CDATA[ The European Medicines Agency says it needs more details to see if the strain, which has 'numerous mutations', could evade the current four jabs authorised for the bloc. ]]></description>
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                                <title><![CDATA[ Pandemic picks up pace as cases double in Africa ]]></title>
                                <link>https://www.malaysianow.com/out-there-now/2021/11/27/pandemic-picks-up-pace-as-cases-double-in-africa</link>
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                                <dc:creator><![CDATA[ AFP ]]></dc:creator>
                                <pubDate>Sat, 27 Nov 2021 01:00:18 GMT</pubDate>
                                <description><![CDATA[ Apart from South Africa, where the number of cases rose by 892% following an upward revision of figures, Vietnam was the country where the pandemic picked up most speed. ]]></description>
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                                <title><![CDATA[ Malaysia, Singapore curb arrivals from southern Africa over new variant ]]></title>
                                <link>https://www.malaysianow.com/news/2021/11/26/malaysia-singapore-curb-arrivals-from-southern-africa-over-new-variant</link>
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                                <dc:creator><![CDATA[ AFP ]]></dc:creator>
                                <pubDate>Fri, 26 Nov 2021 11:01:33 GMT</pubDate>
                                <description><![CDATA[ Citizens and foreigners holding permanent resident status will be allowed to return to Singapore and Malaysia, but will have to undergo quarantine. ]]></description>
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