THE rate of infections of the latest variant of Covid-19 is deemed to be of greater danger for vulnerable groups because it can result in hospital treatment, death, or prolonged infection, a health expert has warned.
Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Lam Sai Kit, a research consultant at Universiti Malaya, said that even though the SARS-CoV-2 variant has been detected to cause mild symptoms, it is still a risk to the elderly, comorbid groups, and those having chronic diseases like diabetes or heart ailment.
He said that those who are healthy can also face a long Covid situation by experiencing continuous and recurring symptoms after being infected for some time.
“Therefore, it is important for the country to continue to monitor the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variant and share information in real time with the rest of the world,” he was quoted as saying by Berita Harian today.
Experts expect a spike in Covid-19 cases caused by the BA2.86 or “Pirola” variant to occur within one to two weeks, with the potential for the JN.1 mutated variant to also spread in Malaysia.
This latest Covid-19 situation is expected to worsen due to the presence of travellers coming from abroad, particularly from the United States and Europe.
Based on Ministry of Health (MOH) data on its website, there were 28,375 Covid-19 active cases in Malaysia as of noon today, up by 1,111 from yesterday.
Of these 27,689 are under home quarantine and 664 in hospital.
Sarawak under pressure to reimpose measures
In Sarawak, there has been a sharp increase in hospital admissions of Covid-19 patients needing intensive care treatment, including those needing breathing support.
Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian raised the alarm after receiving reports that there were 39 patients placed in intensive care from December 3 to 9, with 25 of them classified as serious, including a Category 5 case where an incubator was used for respiration.
The 25 were listed as Categories 3, 4 and 5. Compared to this number, there were only six severe cases last week.
“There has been an increase of 171% in Covid-19 patients in the hospitals. The people must be warned of this sharp rising trend,” said Dr Sim, a cardiologist.
“Even those already having four doses of vaccine can still end up dead due to the Covid-19 spike,” he warned in his social media updates today.
Dr Sim who is also state minister for public health, housing and local government said hospitals statewide are making preparations to face possible mass admissions.
Yesterday, a vocal deputy state minister said Sarawak should enforce Covid-19 public prevention measures again without waiting for a federal directive as infections are rising.
Deputy Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee had said Sarawak is experienced enough with the situation.
“We know what are the urgent measures we had implemented during the outbreak (from 2020 to 2022).
“Those measures like mandatory wearing facemask in public, strict personal hygiene, avoiding crowd, social distancing, use of hand sanitiser… they are still the same. We in Sarawak should practice these.”
Dr Annuar stressed that in view of the holidays and festive seasons coming up, the authorities must take measures to prevent another outbreak.
He also said that the federal MOH is mulling reintroduction of strict prevention measures as infections are also increasing in the peninsula states.
On December 9, the state disaster management committee warned Sarawakians to be extra cautious due to the rising cases.
Its chairman Datuk Douglas Uggah said the state is liaising with the federal ministry to deal with the latest situation.
Up till November 18 this year, there were a total of 328,256 positive cases recorded statewide. Of these, some 99% recovered. – The Vibes, December 17, 2023.
