Doctors' group sound alarm bells as Covid-19 shows signs of resurgence

 

The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has raised alarms about the Covid-19 pandemic in the country after the recovery trend began to stall and are now showing signs of a resurgence.

"MMA reminds the public not to be complacent about the current pandemic. Do not be swayed by the news that says Malaysia is entering into an endemic phase and let your guard down.

"It is already bad enough that our daily numbers of positive Covid-19 cases have started increasing again but to know that the Covid-19 infectivity rate has hit 1.0 is worrying indeed," said MMA president Koh Kar Chai (above).

As of yesterday, the number of new Covid-19 cases have outpaced recoveries for the fourth consecutive day while the R-naught value climbed to 1.0.

A value of under 1.0 is needed to slow the spread of the virus while a value above 1.0 signals an exponential spread.

Koh also expressed concern that the utilisation of intensive care unit (ICU) beds in Terengganu has hit 84 percent.

"We see many going about their daily work forgetting about the need to mask up properly and to maintain a social distance," he said.

Koh stressed that apart from Covid-19 vaccines, face masks and social distancing are still necessary to combat the pandemic.

"Fatalities are still seen and for those who are fortunate to recover, there are many who need long term medical treatment and rehabilitation after suffering from the damage done by the virus.

"For some who do recover and is still suffering from long covid, depression sets in and takes away the desire to live.

"The sufferings by the survivors due to the various organ damages is something sobering that need to be seen by those who believe that Covid-19 is a made-up story," he said. - Mkini