MUAR: The Health Ministry (MOH) will carry out a risk assessment of the Covid-19 infection situation in the middle of next month following the announcement by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that the epidemic is no longer categorised as a global health emergency.
Its minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the assessment is necessary to review the declaration of local areas of infection, which will expire on June 30, and to facilitate the government in determining the next direction involving the latest protection measures against Covid-19.
Although WHO no longer categorised Covid-19 as an international health emergency, she said, the ministry needs to take into account local factors.
“We, at the technical committee, have given our views that we will continue the existing standard operating procedures (SOP) and maintain the local area of infection.
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Dr Zaliha said the ministry will also review and update the Covid-19 guidelines with reference to the WHO's recommendations regarding the long-term management transition of the pandemic.
Yesterday, foreign news agencies reported that the WHO has lifted the Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) status for Covid-19, but insists the disease continues to pose a global threat.
