HEALTH Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said no new Covid-19 variants had been detected in the country and the situation remained under control with most reported cases showing mild symptoms not requiring hospital treatment. 

He said the variant still circulating in Malaysia is Omicron, with its subvariants XBB.1.16, XBB.1.5, EG.5 and JN.1. 

“The current Omicron subvariants are known not to cause more severe cases. 

“The Covid-19 virus will continue to be with us just like other respiratory viruses such as influenza. The public is advised to always practise balance in terms of health and life during the season of increasing cases of infectious diseases,” he said in a statement today.  

For the 51st Epidemiological Week, from December 17 to 23, he said the hospital admission rate of Covid-19 sufferers was 0.5% while the mortality rate was 0.08%.

“This means that rates for both parameters remain at a low level,” he said. 

Dzulkefly said the Ministry of Health would continue to monitor the Covid-19 situation and its related variants from time to time. 

Vulnerable groups such as the elderly, individuals with chronic diseases, and individuals with low immunity are strongly encouraged to wear masks in crowded places and while using public transport, he added. 

He also called on the public to practise self-care measures such as wearing masks, doing a TRIIS (test, report, isolate, inform and seek treatment) assessment, and updating their status on the MySejahtera app. 

The public also needed to get correct and authentic information related to cases of respiratory infection from reliable sources, he said. 

“With the commitment from all walks of life, the Covid-19 situation in this country will remain under control,” he said. – Bernama, December 29, 2023.