Dr Mahathir Mohamad has reminded Malaysians on the importance of getting vaccinated, saying that following standard operating procedures (SOP) is not enough to curb the spread of the virus.

The former prime minister echoed Health Ministry director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah who had earlier tweeted that the focus now must be on the unvaccinated to control the Delta variant of the virus which is far more infectious.

“One important way (to curb the spread) is to get the vaccine. Try to get an injection as soon as possible.  

“We are safer if we are injected. This is the only way to save us. SOP helps but vaccines are better able to keep us safe,” Dr Mahathir said on his blog chedet.cc.  

Covid-19 cases increased yesterday for a second day in a row with 22,642 new infections.

Healthcare services were given a brief reprieve on Monday when cases dropped to 17,642, the lowest in 13 days. However, it was just a temporary dip, with numbers rising to 20,873 the following day.

Dr Mahathir said the coronavirus is affecting families, parents, friends and acquaintances.

“Thousands of people have died from Covid-19 infections. Many could not be treated in hospitals and (their situation) became severe and they died. Many are unable to eat and are far from earning (a living).”

To date, the country has recorded 14,818 deaths with 265 cases being recorded as of yesterday.

Dr Mahathir said the current situation is very bad, where more than 20,000 are infected with the virus daily.

“They cannot get treatment, stay home, get worse and die.

“Due to this situation, the public needs to take this pandemic seriously and be willing to accept all actions to reduce new cases.

“It is stressful when practising (and following) the SOP. It’s really hard to obey orders to distance yourself from others all the time, wear face masks, wash hands. It’s really hard not to go to the market and so on.”

He said that if people are not willing to follow the SOP, then more will be infected and there will be more deaths.

“Yes, this is all stressful. But if we are not willing to suffer, the situation will get worse and many will be infected and die.” – August 26, 2021.