WITH more economic sectors reopening despite soaring daily COVID-19 cases, a health expert said that key to containing the pandemic depends on two factors: Data-based decisions and mass testing.
“As far as the Health Ministry (MOH) is concerned, I believe they are monitoring the situation. However, they must be prepared and come up with projections based on data,” International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) (Kuantan Campus) Medical Faculty dean Prof Dr Jamalludin Ab Rahman told FocusM.
Yesterday, industry leaders such as the Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA) called for the Government to enact clear COVID-19 standard operating procedure (SOP) for businesses to apply in their commercial dealings.
“We need clear SOP on the reopening procedures to avoid another spike in the number of cases.
“For example, Langkawi Island is scheduled to reopen to tourists on Sept 16 but proper guidelines have yet to be issued to the industry players. Any delay may affect the industry’s preparations to receive tourists,” it was reported saying.
Based on the current data, Jamalludin said that COVID-19 infections are on a downward trend due to the vaccination speed under the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK).
However, he stressed the need for the authorities to monitor the situation closely, given the rise of other variants such as Delta and Mu.
“There is no hard and fast rule here. No country in the world has the ‘right’ formula to maintain the balance between protecting lives and livelihood.
“That’s why I advise everyone to be cautious. For example, if cinemas are reopening, we must understand that the ventilation at the premises is not conducive for COVID-19 prevention.
“So, that’s why I advise when we reopen cinemas or gymnasiums, monitor the situation closely. If the data suggests infection cases are rising from those premises, then we must reconsider our decision,” Jamalludin mentioned.
On that note, the academic urged the Government to strengthen its trace, test and isolate measures instead of paying too much attention on how to increase the number of beds at intensive-care units (ICU).
“What I’m suggesting is nothing special as it is the most basic communicable disease mitigation measure. Don’t simply call something sporadic just because we don’t invest our resources in the process.
“Basic contagious disease containment measures must be put in place and Budget 2022 must provide for this,” Jamalludin stressed.
He also lauded newly-minted Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin’s move to place responsibility of COVID-19 mitigation to industry players and private citizens, instead of relying on MOH alone.
“And I support the move to liberalise testing. Now that test kits pricing has been capped at RM19.90, we all should do our own testing.
“It will help us get results faster and if infected, we can isolate and treat those infected faster,” Jamalludin quipped.
Invest in testing
Touching on industry players, the health expert urged private companies to ramp up testing among their staffers apart from relying on vaccination alone.
“We have no choice. Companies must invest on testing for their employees. In an ideal scenario, we would like the Government to provide free testing to citizens like in the UK.
“Unfortunately, that is not the case in Malaysia for a variety of reasons. The human resources departments of every company must see their organisation invest in testing.
“Plus, employees must also be educated on the importance of adhering to safety protocols and COVID-19 SOP,” Jamalludin added.
As for the manufacturing sector, he urged owners to invest in improving its ventilation system and create a “healthy bubble” within their premises.
“Get creative on it. I have come to know that some companies proactively engage health experts on how to create a safe working environment for their staffers,” Jamalludin quipped.
He remarked: “Everyone is a frontliner now, not only MOH staff members. If an outbreak occurs at a premise, it must be closed down immediately.” – Sept 11, 2021
