Over 80% of Covid-19 cases only have mild or no symptoms, says Noor Hisham

Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah says a lot of people have volunteered to help the health ministry and they are now evaluating their expertise.

PUTRAJAYA: More than 80% of Covid-19 patients in Malaysia are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms, but they are all admitted into hospitals for treatment, health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said today.

This, he said, was different from other countries where such persons were told to observe self-isolation at home.

“If we detect early Covid-19 cases, patients are warded to be monitored,” he said at a press conference here.

Patients are classified into five categories: Category One is for those without any symptoms, Category Two is for those with mild symptoms, Category Three is for those showing signs of pneumonia but who do not need oxygen, and those in Category Four need oxygen assistance to breathe.

Those who need ventilators and are placed in the intensive care unit come under the fifth category.

Regarding new cases in enhanced movement control order (EMCO) areas, he said 22 were reported from Selangor Mansion on Jalan Masjid India, bringing the total to 107 cases there.

At the EMCO area of Kampung Sungai Lui in Hulu Langat, 10 new cases were recorded, bringing the total to 141 cases.

On volunteers wanting to help during the Covid-19 pandemic, Noor Hisham said his ministry encouraged this but it would need to look at their expertise and needs before appointing them.

“A lot of people have requested to become volunteers but some may not have the expertise needed. We need to evaluate to either place them at wards or the ICU,” he added.

Malaysia reported two new deaths today, bringing the total to 95 deaths. There were 71 new cases today, bringing the total to 5,603 cases. - FMT