THERE is a need to flatten the curve for Covid-19 cases so that hospitals will have enough space to accommodate patients, director-general of health Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said today.

“The reason for us to flatten the curve is not expecting zero Covid-19 infections, more to allow the hospitals to cope with a surge and exponential spike of cases,” he told a press conference today.

Noor Hisham added the number of cases in intensive care units is increasing, hence it was important to ensure that hospitals have the capacity to accommodate more such patients.

Noor Hisham said the next two weeks will be crucial in flattening the curve.

He added, while there are encouraging signs from the MCO, it is still too early to come to a conclusion on its effectiveness.

“We expect phase two to end April 14 but on April 10, a few days before it ends, we will look at our performance,” he added.

The WHO has predicted the number of cases will rise in mid-April, which is in line with the Health Ministry’s projections.

“For example, Sungai Buloh hospital will only treat Covid patients, other patients will be referred to other hospitals,” he said, adding that of the 146 government hospitals nationwide seven have been designated for the disease.

With 208 new infections reported today, 3,116 people have confirmed positive with the disease.

The death toll has reached 50, with five fatalities reported in the past 24 hours.

Meanwhile, another 122 patients have been discharged from hospital, bringing the number of recoveries to 767. – April 2, 2020.