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KUALA LUMPUR – The end of Malaysia’s Covid-19 fight is far from sight, said Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah today, exactly a year since the country reported its first cases.
“It saddens me today that we have endured one year of fighting against Covid-19 in our country. The end is nowhere near to be seen,” said the health director-general in a Facebook post.
On this date last year, Malaysia registered three coronavirus infections. The first death was not reported until March 17, a day before the nation went into virus lockdown.
Malaysia is battling the third wave of infections, which began last September and has shown no sign of abating.
This month to date, 207 deaths have been attributed to Covid-19, up from 111 reported last month.
Dr Noor Hisham reminded Malaysians to comply with health and safety standard operating procedures, such as properly wearing masks, washing their hands and maintaining physical distancing, as well as to stay home unless there are urgent matters to attend to outside.
“Everyone, no matter who you are, must shoulder this responsibility to save our country together.”
The public health system is under immense pressure, forcing the Health Ministry to reduce contact-tracing efforts, while asymptomatic cases have been told to undergo home quarantine, putting their family members at risk of catching the disease.
The country is under the second movement control order, which is expected to end on February 4. However, a shutdown of the economy looms if the caseload is not kept under control. – The Vibes, January 25, 2021
