MOH pleas for SOP compliance as Sabah, Kedah cases continue to grow

 

COVID-19 | The Health Ministry director-general has pleaded for people “regardless of status and stature in society” to do their part in stopping the spread of Covid-19 and comply with the government’s standard operating procedures (SOP).

This comes as outbreaks in Sabah and Kedah continue to grow despite weeks of effort to contain it, including by enacting an enhanced movement control order in Kota Setar, Kedah.

At least two cases have also been linked to campaign activities in the Sabah state election, while three election candidates have been placed under quarantine for coming into close proximity with Covid-19 infectees.

“If there is no business outside in the community, it is advisable to stay at home. For Sabah, the Election Commission and National Security Council have developed SOP for campaigning and voting activities.

“The MOH pleas, comply with the SOP regardless of status and stature in society. Help the country control the spread of Covid-19.

“Although much of the country has turned into green zones, the MOH wishes to remind that Covid-19 cases are still within our community,” Noor Hisham said in a statement today.

Infectivity still growing despite containment efforts

He said the government had intensified various measures to contain the spread of the disease, including by tightening national borders, putting some places under enhanced MCO, quickly tracing close contacts of Covid-19 patients, and widespread testing.

Despite these efforts, he said the infectivity of the disease - as measured by its reproduction number (Rt) - is still fluctuating and is back on the uptrend.

As of yesterday, the Rt for Malaysia was 1.34. By state, it was 1.37 in Sabah and 1.15 in Kedah.

“As such, more effort needs to be done together to break the spread of Covid-19 in the community,” he said.

Rt is an epidemiological term that estimates how many new infections each Covid-19 patient could cause throughout the course of the disease.

If the figure is higher than 1.0, it means that an outbreak is still growing. Noor Hisham had warned that if it reaches above 1.6 for a sustained period of time, Malaysia could see exponential growth in Covid-19 cases that could threaten to overwhelm the country’s healthcare system.

Conversely, a figure below 1.0 meant that an outbreak is shrinking, and could fizzle out completely if this is sustained.

The current level of Rt of 1.34 meant that each Covid-19 patient, on average, caused 1.34 new infections who would then spread the disease even further.

Testing, quarantine encouraged for red zone travellers

Noor Hisham said that as of today, there are five districts that are classified as red zones based on the number of Covid-19 cases recorded in a district in the past 14 days.

These are Tawau, Lahad Datu, Kunak, and Semporna in Sabah, and Kota Setar in Kedah.

“The MOH advises individuals with symptoms who just visited or are coming from a red zone must undergo Covid-19 screening at a nearby healthcare facility.

“Individuals with no symptoms who just visited or are coming from a red zone are also highly encouraged to undergo screening and quarantine themselves to protect their families, friends, and the surrounding community,” he said. - Mkini