Covid-19 is closer to you than you realise

 

From Dr Vinogiri KS

Malaysia recorded the highest number of Covid-19 deaths in a single day, with 39 fatalities yesterday.

At the same time, the health ministry reported that the total number of cases (positive, suspected and probable) treated in ICUs has reached 641, with 469 confirmed cases, 244 of whom require respiratory assistance.

Hospital and ICU beds nationwide are reaching maximum capacity. The bleak truth is that we will continue to read daily reports on increased deaths and cases in the ICUs, and this is heart-wrenching. More so with several variants of the virus detected in the country.

Variants of concern simply mean that specific genetic markers in this virus are predicted to affect transmission, diagnostics, mortality rates and immune escape. Immune escape or immune evasion is when there is an absence of robust immune protection after first exposure to the previous virus (the common coronavirus) or even to vaccine.

Variants of concern like the B.1.1.7 (first detected in the UK), P1 (first detected in Japan/Brazil), B.1.351 (first detected in South Africa) and now the triple mutant variant B.1.617 (first detected in India) have documented evidence of increased transmissibility, disease severity and reduced vaccine-induced protection from severe symptoms and illness.

These are the variants that are in our country now. As of May 12, 62 cases of B.1.351 were detected from the community (cases from clusters, close contact screening and one case involving a vaccinated individual).

The health ministry reported two deaths linked to this variant on May 8.

Two imported cases from India were detected with the B.1.617 mutation. One of these two cases was detected at the international airport (point of entry) on April 7 but the individual tested negative on that day as well as on the sixth day.

However, he tested positive on April 21 (15 days after arrival to Malaysia) when he was brought in to the emergency room with serious Covid-19 complications. This person passed away 11 days later.

Pandemic fatigue has taken over our lives. We are all tired adjusting to the new norm that changed our lifestyle completely but again, we are losing precious lives and our sanity because of this outbreak that is not slowing down even a bit.

MCO 3.0 has been launched but there are still ways for this virus and its whole troop of mutated variants to find us.

We can all practise some harm reduction methods together. Somehow, we have to continue our daily lives by risking ourselves each time we leave our safe zones, but when we know where the harm is and how it is caused, we can still work on reducing the harm we face.

Proper wearing of masks is a must the moment you leave home. The mask protects you and others. Educate those who might not be wearing their masks correctly. It makes a difference.

Carry your sanitiser everywhere you go, wash your hands with soap each time you touch a surface, even tables in your meeting rooms. Wipe your mobile phones, wash your clothes the moment you return home, and bathe immediately before going near others at home.

Physical distancing is vital. This virus is also airborne, which means that it can spread through the air via very fine droplets and aerosolised particles. Hence, the 2m rule is not efficient. We have to be as far as possible from another person, especially when we are eating, drinking or talking because these are the times when we will be removing our masks.

When you are eating at your workplaces, sit alone at your work cubicle, or if you work outdoors, perhaps enjoy your lunch under a tree alone.

Gatherings and celebrations are important in our lives, yet these are also the gateways for the virus to spread. Very often, those at a celebration will remove their masks and not observe physical distancing.

As the health ministry has said, 78.4% of Covid-19 cases did not have any symptoms at the time of testing, hence you will never know who has the virus.

Last but not least, especially with deadly variants spiralling in the community, do not take any symptoms lightly. Seek medical attention even if you feel the slightest difference.

It is difficult to remember all the measures we need to take each time we step outside, but we can always improvise and find ways to alert ourselves on the “Must do list each time I leave my home”.

One way is to set alarms on our smartphones. This will constantly remind us that we are in the midst of a pandemic.

Spread awareness to everyone you know. Covid-19 is a painful reality that we have to put up with and battle together to save lives.

I wish everyone a happy and safe Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Let us take a moment to pray for all those who have perished, those who can’t be with their loved ones, and for all of us so we will have the strength to battle the pandemic and not give up.

God bless the world.

Dr Vinogiri KS is an epidemiologist and an FMT reader.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.