THE only way to bring down COVID-19 infections is to implement a full and strict lockdown at areas where clusters are on the rise, said a public health expert.
“No more moving around here and there for no reason. The total lockdown should be for a minimum of two weeks. If needed, we should go for a month.
“In addition to lockdown, we should also go aggressively on Find-Test-Trace-Isolate-Support (FTTIS), targetting community-based infections as they are on the rise,” Malaysian Public Health Physicians Association president Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar told FocusM.
Yesterday, former Law Minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim urged the Government to revamp the National Security Council (NSC) as the current crop of members have failed to stem the rise of the pandemic.
“The Prime Minister must revamp the National Security Council (NSC) which has failed to come up with right policies to stem the pandemic. There is nothing shameful about acknowledging our shortcomings.
“Fill the NSC with experts. We don’t need too many police, military and self-serving politicians calling the shots. If poorer nations are doing better in managing COVID-19, its means we are failing and the people in charge are not up to the task,” he was reported saying.
Malaysia’s daily infection rate is nearing the 5,000 mark, with the death toll rising to two-digits daily, sparking fears that the nation may be faltering in its battle against the deadly pandemic.
Field hospital and volunteers
On that note, Zainal said that the Government need not impose a nationwide lockdown but focus it on specific areas where infection cases are rising.
“But the important thing is it should be a full lockdown, with strict standard operating procedure (SOP) imposed. Don’t say this is open and that is open,” he opined.
Zainal added the authorities should buck up on contact tracing and provide free RTK-Antigen test for anyone who wish to get tested due to exposure to the coronavirus.
“Let them walk-in and get tested if they are a close contact. If they are tested positive, get them quarantined as soon as possible,” he stated.
On the healthcare sectors being overwhelmed, Zainal urged the Government to set up more field hospitals like the military to assist the Health Ministry.
But for that to happen, Zainal said the Government needs to rope in more volunteers as it was not easy to run field hospitals, adding the latter should be vaccinated before carrying on their tasks.
“One of our weakness is that we’re reluctant to get people from outside the system to help but that mindset has to go.
“On top of volunteers, why not get our Government retirees and pensioners to help as well? Once they volunteer, let them get priority vaccination as they will be exposing themselves,” he reminded.
Zainal added that some mild COVID-19 or non-COVID-19 patients can be sent outside the Klang Valley for treatment to reduce burden at the hospitals in the locality. – May 9, 2021.
Photo credit: The Straits Times
