Photo: BusinessToday
Malaysia is currently experiencing the COVID-19 Omicron wave but it won’t be as severe as the Delta wave last year, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said today.
“Starting from 6 Feb, Malaysia’s COVID-19 cases has seen a significant increase,” Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin announced at his press conference 5pm today.
He added that the majority of infections were under categories 1 and 2, which refer to those who are asymptomatic or mild and do not require hospitalization. Khairy believes that the Omicron wave will be less severe compared to the Delta wave back in August 2021.
“We have managed to reduce the number of serious infections, thanks to vaccines,” he added. stressing: “We predict that future patients will experience mild symptoms if they are fully vaccinated from COVID-19.”
Covid-19 National Rapid Response Task Force reactivated
MOH has reactivated the Covid-19 National Rapid Response Task Force (RRTF) to ensure they are prepared to face the Omicron wave.
“The RRTF is a special committee that will implement rapid preliminary action to control transmission in a state or area, among which is adding beds and remodelling non-Covid-19 beds, building field hospitals and outsourcing patients to private hospitals,” he said.
The RRTF will be co-chaired by the deputy public health director-general Dr Chong Chee Kheong and deputy medical director-general Dr Asmayani Khalib, who will report directly to the Health Minister.
MOH is ready to accept more patients in ICUs, Khairy said, adding that healthcare professionals are equipped with the resources to treat patients with the Omicron variant, as they will require shorter hospitalization time compared to those infected with the Delta variant.
Booster shots made compulsory
“I’m appealing to you all, please take the booster shots,” Khairy said.
Nearly 53% of adults living in Malaysia have received their booster shots.
All Sinovac recipients (aged 18 and above) will be required to take their booster shots by March 1, 2022, or else they will lose their fully vaccinated status, whereby the vaccination certification will turn from yellow to white.
Similarly, senior citizens (aged 60 and above) will be required to do the same to maintain their fully vaccinated status.
Work from home advisory
In the meantime, Khairy advised employers to encourage staff to work from home.
“We would like to send out an advisory for employers to allow their employees to work from home,” Khairy added. “We would like to reduce, or at least stagnate, the number of COVID-19 cases. (Employers), please help employees get COVID-19 test kits and high-quality masks.”
On Hari Raya
The Health Minister hopes that the Omicron wave would die down within the next two months.
“God willing, we may all celebrate Hari Raya together,” he said.
