ANY decision to extend the movement control order beyond April 14 will depend on the latest Health Ministry data concerning Covid-19 infections.

Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said, therefore, the latest date to decide on any extension of the MCO is April 10.

“We are monitoring the situation every day, so the responsibility is not only on our shoulders but all Malaysians must adhere to the MCO.

“For example, if we can keep to social distancing, stay at home and follow the rules, then let us look into the data.

“The data will tell us if we need to extend (the MCO) or not,” he told the ministry’s daily press conference in Putrajaya today.

Dr Noor Hisham said he could not make any predictions now on an extension of the MCO as the matter has to be based on facts. 

“We are looking at the data daily. There was an increase of more than 200 cases two days ago. 

“This could be because we are carrying out acute case detection at enhanced movement control order areas in Kg Sg Lui and Simpang Renggam. 

“So, there could be an increase there. But today, positive cases have dropped down to 150.”

He added that the Malaysian Institute of Economic Research had predicted there would be an increase of 400 cases today, but only 150 were recorded. 

As for those from the tabligh cluster, Dr Noor Hisham said that the ministry is working closely with the police to trace them. 

“We are also looking at others, such as family members, who can enhance our contact tracing. 

“The information we have is about 40,000 (possible cases). These people are patients under investigation or patient under suspicion for cases that have had close contact.”

Earlier, Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador had said 40,000 people likely make up the Covid-19 chain of infection, including those linked to the tabligh cluster.

He had said the data was analysed by a task force from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headed by Bukit Aman CID chief Huzir Mohamed to identify persons most likely to be infected by the coronavirus. – April 4, 2020.