PETALING JAYA – The number of Covid-19 cases may rise but the virus will no longer be considered a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), said Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa.
The ministry will be reviewing Covid-19 protocols for Malaysia, she added, in line with the World Health Organisation’s decision last week to downgrade the coronavirus from a global health emergency.
Zaliha said there has been a reduced number of deaths and hospital admissions due to the virus, as well as its occurrence now being more predictable.
“The Health Ministry has determined that Covid-19 is no longer a PHEIC,” she said in a video statement posted on Facebook.
“The decision considers the global trend which showed a reduction in Covid-19 deaths, admittance to the hospital and intensive care units, as well as the world population’s high immunity towards the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
“The virus is still in the environment and will continue to evolve, but it is no longer an unexpected or unusual circumstance,” she added.
Malaysia’s review of its guidelines on dealing with Covid-19 will be done with reference to WHO’s guidelines on the transition of the virus to long-term management, she added.
On the number of cases in Malaysia, Zaliha said that 7,596 Covid-19 cases were reported on the 18th epidemiology week from April 30 to May 6, reflecting an increase of 53.1% as compared to a week prior with 4,963 cases.
Public health facilities also saw Covid-19 admission rates increase from 5.8% to 7.2% for every 100,000 of the population.
Despite Covid-19 being considered “normal” now, Malaysia will still retain its declaration as an endemic area of infection, the minister added.
This is necessary to meet the requirements of isolation in places other than hospitals, as well as to facilitate employers in bearing the cost of their employees’ Covid-19 treatments, and testing by authorised officials.
Other nations have also made the decision to declassify Covid-19 as a public health emergency, including Japan and the United States. – The Vibes, May 9, 2023
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