KJ: Klang Valley Covid-19 ebb foreshadowed in N Sembilan

 

The high vaccination rate in Negeri Sembilan has driven down critical Covid-19 cases in the state and the same could happen in the Klang Valley in a few weeks, said Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

Speaking to reporters in Tampin, Negeri Sembilan today, he said 98 percent of Negeri Sembilan's adult population are partially vaccinated while another 82 percent of adults there are fully vaccinated.

He said this helped to drive down the number of people hospitalised for Covid-19 in the state to below 70 percent, including the use of ventilators and intensive care beds.

"In terms of daily cases, it has dropped from a high of 1,215 in August to just 270 yesterday. It is showing the early success of the immunisation programme in Negeri Sembilan.

"I believe that our success in Negeri Sembilan is a sign of what will happen in the Klang Valley soon because Kuala Lumpur and Selangor have vaccination rates comparable to Negeri Sembilan," said Khairy.

However, he said the population density of the Klang Valley might delay the drop in serious Covid cases there.

"Perhaps we will see it in the next few weeks," said the minister.

Despite Negeri Sembilan having moved to Phase 3 of the National Recovery Plan, Khairy said the government still has to be cautious in reopening the economy.

Even in Phase 3, he said the public will still have to obey health rules, especially wearing masks.

Meanwhile, he said only Category 3 patients with comorbidities will be hospitalised for now. Category 3 refers to patients with lung infections but do not require supplementary oxygen.

"For those with no comorbidities, we will urge them to quarantine at home. There will be exceptions such as pregnant women, the elderly, and those in situations where they cannot quarantine at home," he said.

Those undergoing home quarantine will have to constantly use the "home assessment tool" in the MySejathera smartphone application.

Those who develop complications during home quarantine must contact the health authorities immediately for help.

Critics have pointed out that many Covid-19 deaths were a result of the home quarantine rule, as the victims were unable to seek medical help in time. - Mkini