[UPDATED] Double-digit daily cases only in May: health DG

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia will only see double-digit daily infections in May, following the four-week movement control order (MCO), said Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

The country today logged 3,048 new Covid-19 infections.

Dr Noor Hisham said the current R0 value (infectivity rate) is at 1.06, but efforts must still be made to reduce it.

On the issue of hospital capacities, he said 130 private hospitals have the ability to treat Covid-19 patients in Categories 3, 4 and 5.

Category 1 is for positive cases with no symptoms, Category 2 is for cases with mild symptoms, Category 3 is for cases with pneumonia, Category 4 is for pneumonia cases that require oxygen, and Category 5 is for cases that require breathing assistance.

“Out of the 130 hospitals, 95 have already agreed to treat such patients,” Dr Noor Hisham said, adding that this agreement by the private healthcare sector adds 1,286 beds, 65 intensive care unit beds and 54 ventilators to the government’s existing capabilities.

For now, the focus of private hospitals is to treat non-Covid-19 patients, their own patients who have tested positive and infected VIPs. 

“Previously, infected ambassadors, as well as United Nations and World Health Organisation officials were treated at University Malaya Medical Centre or Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre. Now, they can go to private hospitals,” Dr Noor Hisham said. 

On the issue of using colchicine to treat the virus, he said large-scale studies must be conducted first before recommending it as a cure. 

Colchicine is commonly used as a medication to treat gout and Behçet’s disease.

Dr Noor Hisham said for now, the Health Ministry will continue the use of dexamethasone, as it has shown effective results.

On the issue of patients undergoing home quarantine, the ministry has yet to compile and analyse the relevant data. 

However, the health DG noted that 36 people in Kedah are currently under home quarantine.

Deputy Director-General (Primary Health) Datuk Dr Nazrilah Hairizan said the number of Covid-19 patients quarantined at home depends on the area they are in. 

“For example, in Petaling, some 500 people are allowed to be quarantined at home per day. 

“We are still in the process of collecting all the data. It is fluid and dynamic, so give us time to do so.”

The ministry today held a virtual press briefing on the state of the pandemic in the country. – The Vibes, January 25, 2021