The Delta variant of the novel coronavirus, first identified in India and previously known as B.1.617.2, has been detected in seven Cambodian migrant workers who recently returned from Thailand through border checkpoints, the Ministry of Health announced on June 19.

The ministry said the seven cases have been found in five different provinces – one in Banteay Meanchey, two in Oddar Meanchey, two in Siem Reap, one in Kampong Cham and another in Kampot. The results have been confirmed by the Institut pasteur du Cambodge on June 18.

The migrant workers are aged 19 to 47. Five of them returned from Bangkok and the other two from Chonburi province in Thailand between June 5-8 through different border checkpoints.

The ministry reminded the public to take the most precaution and strictly follow health guidelines, and those who might have been in contact with Covid-19 positive persons to self-quarantine to prevent the variant from spreading to the community.

On June 4, the ministry also announced three cases of such a variants on workers returning from Thailand.