THE Health and Sciences Covid-19 Advisory Group of Experts (EAG) has suggested four ways for Putrajaya to prevent a fourth wave of Covid-19 in the country.

In a statement, EAG recommended Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to first implement a highly targeted MCO and to conduct surveillance through targeted testing. At the same time it urged Putrajaya to strengthen risk communication as well as boost vaccine rollout while combating vaccine hesitancy.

“All MCO areas must fully employ digitised find, test, trace, isolation and support (FTTIS), which includes the proposed targeted mass testing strategy,” the group said.

The experts explained that highly targeted MCO will minimise economic disruption, on top of reducing the spread of Covid-19, while balancing the well-being of both lives and livelihoods.

“State and district health authorities must be empowered to work with external experts and determine clear and transparent thresholds for when an area should be placed under MCO.

“The thresholds should be defined according to population density, number of cases, and geo-characteristics of the area, and communicated clearly to the public,” they said.

The group, which is chaired by Dr Abu Bakar Suleiman, is represented by Academy of Medicine Malaysia (Professor Dr Rosmawati Mohamed ), Malaysian Medical Association  (Dr Mary Cardosa), Dr Fadzilah Kamaludin  (Malaysian Public Health Physicians’ Association) Dr Kuljit Singh  (Association of Private Hospitals of Malaysia) and Dr Christopher Lee, a prominent infectious diseases physician.

On surveillance through targeted testing, the experts suggested machine learning and artificial intelligence tools to be better utilised for predictive risk modelling and assessment to identify hotspots and risk areas even before an outbreak occurs.

They added that mass targeted testing using antigen rapid test kits (RTK-Ag) must be promptly deployed for comprehensive Covid-19 surveillance.

Speaking further, they stated that greater understanding of the science behind Covid-19 measures will boost public trust and offset some of the pandemic fatigue that has set in.

“Covid-19 messaging should pivot to focus on improving health literacy and transmission risk factors in addition to SOP compliance.

“For example, the general public should have a better understanding of the risks of indoor dining and socialising in a confined space compared to visiting an outdoor Ramadan bazaar that abides by strict SOP.

“Understanding the science behind the pandemic will help create confidence among the public,” the group said.

The experts also urged the government to set up pop-up registration and vaccine information centres to immediately address vaccination hesitancy.

“It can be established in high-traffic public areas, such as Ramadan bazaars, shopping malls and office buildings, in collaboration with non-government organisations.

“These ‘pop-ups’ can also double as rapid testing centres. Additionally, national community engagement programmes for encouraging vaccine registration and combatting hesitancy among vulnerable and marginalised populations such as the elderly, Orang Asli, migrants, and the digitally illiterate must be urgently expanded,” they said.

Meanwhile, the experts said Putrajaya should prioritise mitigating the spread of the virus as it is no longer realistic to attempt to get infection rates down to zero.

“After more than one year of living with Covid-19, the government should prioritise mitigating the spread of the virus.

“All resources must be focused on enhancing the implementation of targeted MCO. While the Ministry of Health (MoH) has shown leadership in managing Covid-19, the pandemic is a marathon requiring the contribution of experts, including those outside MoH and citizens from all corners of the country for a real whole-of-society effort,” EAG stressed. – April 25, 2021.