THE increase in the number of Covid-19 cases of late is due to large-scale screening, especially in areas subject to the enhanced movement control order (EMCO), said Deputy Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

He said the government had projected Covid-19 cases to increase when the EMCO was enforced in 36 districts in Selangor and a further 16 in Kuala Lumpur.

The EMCO in these areas is scheduled to end on July 16.

“When the government enforces the EMCO, we will conduct Covid-19 screening on a large scale and of course there will be an increase in Covid-19 cases.

“For example, the Kampung Kerinchi PPR, which is under EMCO, many people tested positive for Covid-19,” he told reporters after visiting the flats today.

“So this is what caused the number of Covid-19 cases to increase, because these EMCO areas contribute to Covid-19 cases, which will eventually go down,” he said.

Ismail Sabri, who is also defence minister, said the Ministry of Health will continue screening for Covid-19 every day in EMCO areas.

“For example, for residents in EMCO areas in Selangor, many private clinics are open on a walk-in basis for Covid-19 screening tests… that also contributes to the increase in cases until the EMCO is terminated,” he said.

Ismail Sabri said the ministry expects Covid-19 cases to continue to increase and that the next step is to provide facilities, including beds, in order to treat Covid-19 patients.

He also revealed that so far there were 200 positive Covid-19 cases in Kampung Kerinchi PPR. – Bernama, July 11, 2021.