The Malaysian Insight

THE Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) today reminded the public not to be complacent and let their guard down on Covid-19 as the infectivity rate has risen to a “worrying” 1.04.

“Do not be swayed by news that says Malaysia is entering into an endemic phase and let your guard down. It is already bad enough that our daily numbers of positive Covid-19 cases have started increasing again, but to know that the Covid-19 infectivity rate has risen to 1.04 is worrying indeed,” the group’s president Dr Koh Kar Chai said in a statement.

An Rt value of above 1.0 means the virus is spreading fast.

Koh said it is depressing to note that the daily new cases have been outnumbering the recoveries and the ICU bed occupancy in Terengganu has reached 84%.

“We see many going about their daily work forgetting about the need to mask up properly and to maintain social distancing,” he said.

Fatalities are still seen and for those who are fortunate enough to recover, there are many who need long term medical treatment and rehabilitation after suffering from the damage done by the virus,” he added.

Former patients are also battling Long Covid and depression, which have robbed them of the desire to live, he said.

“The sufferings by the survivors due to… organ damage is something sobering that needs to be seen by those who believe that Covid-19 is a made-up story,” he added.

Koh reminded the public that vaccination, facial masks and social distancing are the three important armaments in the fight to manage Covid-19.

“Available medical treatments are a boon but prevention is always better than contracting Covid-19 with the belief that there are medical treatments available. One may not make it to the stage of recovery even if treated with the best available medication,” he said.

Health Ministry director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said that the Rt for November 12 is 1.04.

Malaysia reported 1,248 Covid-19 hospital admissions yesterday while active cases stood at 64,277.

Currently, 50,063 patients are in home quarantine, 7,966 are in low-risk quarantine centres and 5,705 are hospitalised.

There are 543 patients in intensive care units, with 268 requiring a ventilator.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin also sent a reminder to the public to not let their guards down and to take all precautions. – November 13, 2021.