Lowest Covid-19 cases detected to date, says Health DG

By Xavier Kong

AT his daily Covid-19 update, Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah shared that the number of new cases confirmed on April 20 is the lowest since the Movement Control Order (MCO) was implemented on March 18, though he warns that the number may spike again in the coming fortnight.

“The recent downward trend in cases is due to the proactive and aggressive actions taken in detecting Covid-19 cases, especially in the past two weeks. However, the number of new cases could spike again in the coming two weeks, as screening is still happening, especially for Malaysians just returning to Malaysia, and the locations under the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO),” said Dr Noor Hisham.

With 36 more cases, the total confirmed cases in Malaysia comes up to 5,425 cases, of which 2,041 are still in treatment, with 45 being treated in intensive care units, and 28 of those requiring ventilator support. There were 98 recoveries reported, for a total of 3,295 recoveries so far. No deaths were reported, keeping the death toll at 89. A total of 113,055 people have been tested so far.

Dr Noor Hisham warned that Malaysians should not be lax in practising social distancing, and to continue to adhere to the Movement Control Order (MCO), stating that “the war is not yet over, we have not yet won.”

He also advised foreign nationals in Malaysia who are at risk to step forward to clinics for screening and testing. He added that the action being taken at Pasar Borong Kuala Lumpur is a localised action, part of a targeted approach. This involves more comprehensive screening there, to prevent the further spread of Covid-19.

Also covered under this are those foreign nationals whose visas have expired, with Dr Noor Hisham calling for these to come forward for screening and testing as well.

“The Ministry of Health is focused on making sure no one is further infected, which is why we are calling for these foreign nationals to step forward,” he said.

Dr Noor Hisham also clarified that the antibody test kits are not for diagnosis, but rather to find out how many in a community have been infected but are not detected. The test only involves a single drop of blood.

A further clarification was also provided regarding word that intensive care units are shut down after there are no more Covid-19 patients in them. This was verified as false, with Dr Noor Hisham stating that the units were not used, rather than closed down, and that if they are needed again, they will be utilised.

When queried on whether or not the MCO will be extended, Dr Noor Hisham noted that there has been “significant improvement in terms of reducing the cases.”

“We need to continue what we did in MCO 1 and 2 and hopefully, by doing so, we can bring down the figure. Today there are 36 cases, among the lowest, but we want to see a single digit. Maybe we can achieve the single digit within one week,” said Dr Noor Hisham.

However, he reiterated that Malaysians need to work together and keep staying at home, with the Ministry of Health advising the public to stay at home even if the MCO is lifted.

“If you can stay at home, you can help us to break the chain of transmission of Covid-19,” he said.

With regard to the exit strategy, the planning is ongoing, with the focus on mitigating the situation, and the target being the soft landing, so that the new norm can be achieved “slowly but surely” while breaking the chain of transmission of Covid-19.

“We may take some time, maybe three months, maybe six months – our policy must change in terms of looking into no public gatherings, for example, social distancing, continuously reminding the public to wash their hands, and most importantly for Malaysians to stay at home, if you do not have any business out in public,” said Dr Noor Hisham.

On the current situation of personal protective equipment (PPE), he shared that there may be a coming supply shortage of the N-95 mask. However, he added that alternatives are available, such as using the surgical three-ply mask together with face shields.

With regard to the recovery rate, Dr Noor Hisham shared that several factors governed this, namely whether or not the patient sought treatment at an early or late stage, the age of the patient, and whether or not the patient had comorbidities.

On how long the war against Covid-19 may continue, he shared that the World Health Organisation has guided that the war may last until next year. The issue now is the strategy that is required to proceed into next year.

“The important thing now is to reduce the number of cases. However, we are not able to end the appearance of cases. There may be new isolated, sporadic cases, or even new clusters,” he said.

Another indicator is the number of Severe Acute Respiratory Illnesses and Influenza-like Illnesses in a community. If the number remains high, there may still be Covid-19 in that community, but the numbers are currently dropping, Dr Noor Hisham shared.

He warned that the new normal will likely continue until there is an effective vaccine, with lifestyles needing to change until then. – April 20, 2020