Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who today announced a series of restrictions-easing for fully vaccinated individuals, acknowledged that there is a risk of increasing Covid-19 cases but said the benefits of vaccination cannot be ignored.
He pointed out that based on the collected data, those who are fully vaccinated are significantly less likely to suffer from severe symptoms.
"The decision of easing will surely pose the risk of an increased number of daily (Covid-19) cases.
"However, the government cannot take lightly the benefits of being vaccinated and also the role it (easing) can play on the people's mental and physical health as well as the country's economic activity," he added.
Muhyiddin said in the last six weeks, the number of patients aged 60 and above being warded for Covid-19 at the Sungai Buloh Hospital in Selangor had seen a decline.
This group was among the earliest to be vaccinated against Covid-19.
"This shows that the vaccination of senior citizens under Phase 2 of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Plan (NIP) which was implemented since April 19 has shown a positive impact in the context of health," he said.
Likewise, the premier said out of the 246,242 healthcare workers who have been vaccinated, only 1.88 percent were infected with Covid-19.
Of those infected, he said 99.78 percent of them experienced mild symptoms or were asymptomatic, 0.15 percent deteriorated to Category 3, and 0.06 percent were in Category 4.
None deteriorated to Category 5 which will require that they are put on a ventilator.
Despite certain vaccinated groups falling less ill, the overall number of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) is still growing due to the huge number of cases.
Between July 7 and Aug 7, the number of patients in the ICU grew from 948 to 1,097.
The number of active cases also skyrocketed from 74,344 to 224,120 in the same period, putting unprecedented pressure on the healthcare system.
Muhyiddin said the government had been cautious in drafting the National Recovery Plan (NRP).
"The plan is a guide which was drafted carefully based on data and science to enable us to return to normalcy," he said.
Muhyiddin touted how Perlis, Sarawak, and Labuan have advanced into Phase 3 of the NRP while six states are under Phase 2.
However, he cautioned that the country is now facing more virulent variants compared to last year.
The prime minister reiterated that the government's strategy is to ensure as many people as possible are vaccinated.
Muhyiddin said more than 400,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccines are being administered each day with a peak of over 500,000 on July 22.
He said the plan is to ensure that by Merdeka Day, 50 percent of the adult population will be fully vaccinated.
At present, 35.3 percent of the adult population are fully vaccinated while 65.6 percent have received at least their first dose.
The government today announced a series of easing for fully vaccinated individuals, including allowing for home quarantine and travel perks. - Mkini
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