Covid-19: Curve flattens, trend of fewer new cases than recoveries

By Xavier Kong

AS Phase 2 of the Movement Control Order (MCO) draws to a close, the trend continues with more new recoveries than new confirmed cases on April 14. Also, there are indications of a flattening of the curve.

According to Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, as of 12pm, April 14, 170 new cases were confirmed today, for a total of 4,987 confirmed cases to date. With 202 new recoveries today, the total number of recoveries and discharges comes to 2,478.

This leaves 2,427 cases still being treated, and of these, 60 are currently being treated in the intensive care unit, with 33 of those requiring ventilator support. A further five deaths were also reported, bringing the total death toll to 82.

He also noted that there has not been a peak, which suggests a flattening of the curve, due to the first and second phases of the MCO, but more needs to be done, hence the third phase being implemented.

He clarified that the personal protective equipment (PPE) shortage is a global issue, with usage in Malaysia jumping between threefold to tenfold of normal usage due to the Covid-19 epidemic.

With the global shortage, Malaysia can no longer import the N-95 surgical mask due to the US no longer exporting those, which led to the government turning to the KN-95 mask from China, of which about 100,000 have been received.

The different types of PPE used in facing Covid-19 and their current stock are as follows:

Boot/footwear covers : 78 days
Protective head covers : 52 days
Three-ply masks : 47 days
N-95 masks : 37 days
Disposable face shield : 25 days
Disposable fluid-resistant apron : 23 days
Jumpsuit/protective overalls : 19 days

Dr Noor Hisham shared that procurement in bulk at the facility and state level has been and is being conducted to ensure a sufficient supply. To monitor the usage of the PPE, an online data centre updated by hospital staff is used, with logistics based off of the data collected.

New laboratories are being planned, with five more in the cards, which could raise the number of labs testing samples to 48.

The procedure of testing has also changed, with the 13th day PCR test switched to an antibody presence test. The presence of the Covid-19-specific antibodies would then trigger a flag, requiring a further PCR test. This reduces the stress on the labs for processing the samples.

Donors who create PPE for healthcare professionals to use are also guided by the Ministry of Health, to make sure the gear donated is up to standard. This, in turn, prompted Dr Noor Hisham to suggest that, while Malaysia is already a world leader in terms of glove production, “we should also be self-sufficient” in PPE fabrication. He pointed to the case of Malaysia needing to import N-95 masks, and suggested that Malaysia should perhaps be self-sufficient in that regard.

Regarding the news that flights to Sabah and Sarawak are now allowed, he noted that there will be stringent checks made on travellers at airports, which is a way to help curb the spread of Covid-19 despite the flights.

He also clarified that it is not the Ramadan bazaars that are an issue, but rather the uncontrolled crowds that gather at such bazaars. He advocated the use of technology, in this case online food orders and delivery, to be a solution for this issue. – April 14, 2020