The Health Ministry has acknowledged that the country is experiencing a sharp increase in Covid-19 cases.
However, Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad repeatedly stressed today that lockdown measures such as the movement control order (MCO) are not being considered for now.
"The Health Ministry hopes that we can go through this situation without having to repeat restrictions such as the MCO.
"We are not speaking about an MCO... for the time being, there is no MCO," he said at a press conference on the Covid-19 situation.
The minister was addressing concerns raised on social media on whether or not there would be another lockdown.
Here are some key points from the press conference:
20,696 Covid-19 cases from Dec 10 to 16, up 62 percent from previous week
97 percent of cases were mild
28 deaths reported
No lockdown, no MySejahtera check-ins
Masking highly encouraged
Seniors and those with comorbidities encouraged to take boosters
During the question-and-answer session, health director-general Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan said Covid-19 cases are expected to rise in the coming weeks, in line with global trends.
Vaccine updates
As for the supply of the latest Pfizer vaccines, Radzi said the procurement process was still ongoing.
"The process will take some time, and the supply (availability) is tough," he added.
However, he stressed that Malaysia's vaccine stock can still provide protection, especially for those with comorbidities.
Radzi said those who want to get booster shots can just walk into any health facility that provides it.
Five strategies
Earlier, Dzulkefly highlighted a five-point strategy meant to manage the rise in Covid-19 cases.
The first strategy is early detection of Covid-19 and its variants through the 'Heightened Alert System', community surveillance to detect influenza-like illnesses, surveillance of cases in hospitals for cases with severe acute respiratory infections, and surveillance of wastewater from communities and at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
The second strategy involves strengthening the test, report, isolate, inform, and seek (Triss) system.
The third is to monitor health facilities, and the management and control of Covid-19 cases, especially those involving high-risk groups.
The fourth strategy is to improve communication of Covid-19 cases through data sharing, health notices, social media and other means.
The fifth is to digitalise health systems and pandemic management through MySejahtera, including making arrangements for paxlovid treatments.
However, the Health Ministry said later in the press conference that check-ins using MySejahtera will not be required just yet.
On face masks, Dzulkefly said masking is highly encouraged especially in enclosed spaces, especially for those with symptoms or are at risk of infection. - Mkini
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