KUALA LUMPUR – The Health Ministry predicts a further spike in daily Covid-19 infections in the coming days due to the emergence of more new variants in the country.
Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said several variants of concern have been shown to have faster transmission and a higher fatality rate.
Describing the situation as extremely worrying, Dr Noor Hisham urged the public to adhere strictly to the movement control order’s (MCO) standard operating procedures (SOPs) and to avoid unnecessary travelling.
“The country is continuing to record four-digit daily infections with active cases surpassing 40,000,” he said in a statement.
“Most public and private hospitals, as well as Covid-19 treatment and quarantine centres nationwide, have almost reached their maximum capacity.
“More worryingly, there have been more positive cases that require treatment in the intensive care unit over the past few weeks. At the same time, the number of daily fatalities is also increasing.”
Dr Noor Hisham said the sharp increase in caseloads has put pressure on the country’s healthcare system, and the responsibility now lies with every single Malaysian to break the coronavirus’s chain.
“Malaysians are very important frontliners at the moment, and I hope you will continue to stay at home if you have no pressing need to be outside. We have no other choice, we must take care of ourselves,” he said.
Dr Noor Hisham’s statement comes amid a record high in daily Covid-19 deaths today, after 47 individuals succumbed to the virus.
Forty-five people died of the coronavirus yesterday, while more have been admitted to the ICU, as hospitals across the country report that their beds are at or nearing full capacity.
Among other things, Dr Noor Hisham urged employers to allow staff to work from home and to limit the number of people in the office at any one time.
He said Malaysians should also avoid accepting any visitors at their homes, use technology to communicate instead of meeting physically, shop for items online, and cook at home.
Dr Noor Hisham said those who have been identified as people under surveillance, suspected Covid-19 cases, or confirmed cases must strictly observe home quarantine.
Similarly, those who are awaiting swab test results or have been identified as close contacts must not leave their homes, he added. – The Vibes, May 18, 2021
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