Covid-19: Lowest new confirmed cases to date

By Xavier Kong

HEALTH director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said that today saw the lowest number of confirmed Covid-19 cases to date, with only 16 new cases confirmed. Of these 16 new cases, nine cases are non-Malaysians, and three cases are imported, meaning local transmissions for Malaysians stand at four new cases.

There were 110 new recoveries reported today, bringing the total number of discharged patients to 5,223. Total confirmed cases, including the 16 today, stand at 6,742, of which 1,410 are active transmission cases. There are 16 patients being treated in intensive care units, with three of those needing ventilator support. No deaths were reported from Covid-19 today, leaving the death toll at 109.

Still, Dr Noor Hisham reminded Malaysians not to let their guard down at the sight of these numbers, and to maintain safe social distancing, good personal hygiene, and to stay at home except for urgent matters.

He also shared that the second wave of Covid-19 is indeed a worrying matter, considering the resurgence of cases in Wuhan, China, and South Korea. This comes at a time where many nations are easing restrictions.

Dr Noor Hisham noted that the Conditional Movement Control Order is not an exit strategy, that the government remains committed to the six criteria as set forth by the World Health Organisation. He pointed out that the easing of movement restrictions within the country is part of balancing fighting Covid-19 against reviving the national economy, and should not be mistaken as an exit strategy, that Malaysia is still in the process of easing the Movement Control Order.

“The onus is not only on the shoulders of the Ministry of Health and the government, but on each individual in the country. They have to comply. Social compliance is important. Social discipline is important, and social responsibility. This is a responsibility of all of us to comply with the SOP that we have. If we comply, we can bring down the graph further. So whether we will have a second wave or not, it is not up to the ministry, but the onus is on the public as well,” he said.

The team from China has also offered several key points for the ministry to look at, such as the use of public transport, making sure that the public follows standard operating procedures, and healthcare facilities, where several initiatives have already been put into place.

Dr Noor Hisham shared that the ministry is already looking into staggered appointments to limit the number of people physically in clinics and hospitals, while also requiring patients waiting for their turn to wait in their vehicles. Virtual clinics and medicine deliveries are also practices that have been put in place. – May 12, 2020