World Health Organisation (WHO) representative to Cambodia Li Ailan has warned that the coronavirus Delta variant remains a big concern in the country.

“It is still bad news that the virus, especially the Delta variant, is still with us. It is important to get vaccinated to help stem the spread of the virus and adhere to non-pharmaceutical measures effectively,” she said.

Li made the remarks as she joined national Covid-19 vaccination committee head Or Vandine on August 20 in a visit to bring Prime Minister Hun Sen’s gifts to centenarians who have been vaccinated against Covid-19.

Li commended the government's vaccination programme which she said has been fast, smooth and efficient.

She said the government has paid attention to members of the public including vulnerable people and those at high risk such as frontline medical workers, senior citizens and those with chronic illness.

“[Vaccinations] reduce hospitalisations, severe illness and deaths,” she said while cautioning that the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions coupled with public complacency could be another cause for concern.

“If we let our guard down or we don’t take part in exercising non-pharmaceutical measures, [and] the restrictions are lifted too early, we may see another outbreak of the disease,” she said, calling on the public to strictly implement preventive measures.

According to Vandine, nearly 100 centenarians have voluntarily received vaccinations against Covid-19 and 61 of them have already received Hun Sen’s gifts.