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KUALA LUMPUR – Given the escalation in Covid-19 infections, the need for mandatory testing has become paramount and dire, said former EON managing director Tan Sri Adzmi Abdul Wahab.
In a statement, he said the government has to quickly relook and revise its strategy to protect the rakyat, as vaccinations have yet to reach the desired results towards achieving herd immunity.
“Everyone needs to be checked and no stone left unturned as Covid-19 variants, especially among the asymptomatic, are emerging and a great worry.”
The Selangor state-sponsored mass Covid-19 screening has found that a majority of those between the ages of 20 and 40 who tested positive are asymptomatic.
The purpose of mandatory testing is to identify, isolate and treat coronavirus cases, especially asymptomatic ones, to prevent the disease from spreading in the community unknowingly.
The screening is carried out by Selcare, the administrator of state government healthcare programme Skim Peduli Sihat.
Selcare found that almost 80% of Covid-19-positive individuals in the abovesaid age group appear healthy, with no signs of being infected.
Adzmi said these people, prior to the screening, had been moving about freely – at the workplace and in public areas, including outlets with high footfall.
“The virus can even spread easily in the home when the use of masks indoors is relaxed.
“This is one way that the virus can unknowingly spread to families – at home. It’s no longer from clusters, but sporadic.
“The health director-general has said he foresees Covid-19 infections increasing in the coming days.”
Screening should be stepped up so that the government does not lose control of the pandemic, he said.
Malaysia logged 6,806 cases yesterday, the highest daily tally reported to date.
Nearly half of the cases – 43% – were recorded in the Klang Valley, but other states and territories, too, reported triple-digit caseloads. – The Vibes, May 21, 2021
