THE government is stepping up its vaccination drive in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur to achieve herd immunity more quickly, said Health Minister Dr Adham Baba.

“We have to accelerate the vaccination in these states because of the high incidence rate,” he said in a weekly press conference on the vaccination drive today.

He added that it is important to consider the fact that Selangor and Kuala Lumpur are densely populated, and key areas for business and the economy.

Herd immunity can be achieved when 80% of the nation’s population is vaccinated against Covid-19.

A total of 112,371 people in Selangor have at least received the first jab, 72,475 of whom have been vaccinated with both doses.

In Kuala Lumpur, 88,172 people have received the first jab with 47,181 having completed two doses.

Selangor’s infectivity rate or R-naught (R0) on April 27, stood at 1.14, while Kuala Lumpur had 1.23. This compares to the national figure of 1.12.

The R0 indicates the number of new infections estimated to stem from a single case.

As for Kelantan, another state which has been reporting a high number of new cases, Adham said the movement control order (MCO) has been imposed.

Inter-district and interstate travel are now in force and only essential sectors are allowed to function.

He said Hospital Sultan Ismail Petra is running at 111% bed capacity, with Tanah Merah Hospital at 100%.

Meanwhile, 95% of beds in Tumpat Hospital and 96% in Machang Hospital have been occupied, while 82% of beds in Kuala Krai Hospital are in use.

In Sarawak, Adham said the state government has imposed an inter-zone travel restriction, and swab tests and quarantine orders apply to people entering the state.

Selangor topped the daily tally yesterday with 750 cases, followed by Kelantan and Sarawak with 484 and 432 cases respectively.

The country as a whole reported 2,733 Covid-19 cases yesterday. – April 28, 2021.