MOST states have a Covid-19 reproduction rate or R-naught (R0) higher than the national R0 of 1.14, indicating a high rate of contagion.

Figures released by the Health Ministry today through the National Security Council’s Telegram channel showed that the R0 in nine states was higher than the national rate.

Sarawak and Perlis have the highest R0 at 1.5 and 1.43, respectively.

The other states are Pahang (1.17), Putrajaya (1.22), Kelantan (1.26), Kedah (1.29), Perak (1.30), Malacca (1.34) and Terengganu (1.34).

Selangor is on par with the national reproduction number, at 1.14

These R0 figures are as of January 20, the ministry infographic said.

States with an R0 lower than 1.14 are Labuan Federal Territory (0.88), Sabah (1.08), Johor (1.04), Penang (1.10), Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory (1.13) and Negri Sembilan (1.13).

The R0 indicates the average number of people who will become infected from one person who has the virus.

A reproduction rate of less than 1.0 is desired as it means each positive cases can only cause less than one new infection, leading to the virus’s eventual decline.

An R0 of more than one will indicate a more severe outbreak or epidemic.

The R0 can also change day to day depending on local conditions.

Director-general of health Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said earlier this month that the goal was to bring down Malaysia’s R0 to 0.5. – January 21, 2021.