KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia has hit another high in Covid-19 infections with 4,519 new cases and 25 deaths today, prompting Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah to caution against holding elections and other gatherings.
With the fresh infections today, the nation’s virus tally has now reached 436,944.
Just yesterday, the Health Ministry registered 4,498 Covid-19 cases and 22 deaths.
“Currently, 36,564 cases remain active,” Dr Noor Hisham told a press conference.
Selangor continues to record the highest number of daily cases at 1,722, followed by Kuala Lumpur (557), Sarawak (479), Kelantan (373), Penang (363), Johor (288), Kedah (183), Perak (108) and Malacca (100).
States that have fewer than 100 cases are Pahang (99), Negri Sembilan (98), Terengganu (71), Sabah (63), Putrajaya (12), Labuan (2) and Perlis (1).
Dr Noor Hisham said it is crucial that Malaysia avoid elections.
“If we don’t have the emergency ordinance at hand, for example, the Sarawak polls must be conducted. With the ordinance, we can avoid it.
“Imagine if someone returns to a Sarawak interior to vote and causes an infection.
“Our healthcare services may not be able to detect the infection and give patients the treatment that they need.”
Malaysia can learn from India on how to avoid a tsunami of infections, he added, which includes avoiding elections.
“On March 7, Indian leaders announced that their handling of the pandemic was very good, adding that the pandemic will end soon.
“This caused the people to stop complying with standard operating procedures, with many gathering at beaches and religious festivals.
“They also conducted five state elections with no social distancing.”
Of those who lost their lives today, all were locals, except one. Four of them have already died by the time they were brought to hospital.
Dr Noor Hisham said the ministry detected 16 new clusters today.
It is uncertain if Malaysia is currently experiencing a fourth wave, he said, adding that data suggests that the surge in infections is a continuity from the last wave.
On the issue of the implementation of the movement control order, he reiterated the call to balance economy and health, stressing that this is a challenging task.
He pointed to the list of at-risk premises on the Hotspots Identification for Dynamic Engagement system, which mostly include shopping areas and eateries.
He added that the ministry will make the necessary recommendations to the National Security Council on conditions for the retail and dining sectors. – The Vibes, May 8, 2021
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