THE Health Ministry (MOH) will continue to step up its preparedness to face a possible hike in the number of daily Covid-19 cases and deaths following the surge of infections in China. 

Health Director-General Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said among the measures to be taken was to increase the percentage of booster dose uptake to reduce the severity of infections and the risk of death. 

“MOH is urging all eligible individuals to take their booster dose of the Covid-19 vaccine so that the Malaysian population gets optimal protection against Covid-19,” he said in the statement today. 

The rising number of virus cases in China was reported by the World Health Organisation on December 21. 

The MOH will also strengthen the country’s virus management through the digitalisation of health management by improving the automated Find, Test, Trace, Isolate, and Support approach. 

Through the approach, individuals who conduct Covid-19 self-tests can report their test results on the MySejahtera app, where positive cases will be given a Home Surveillance Order or Release Order digitally. 

Dr Noor Hisham said the ministry will ensure all Covid-19 Assessment Centres (CACs) are ready to receive a higher volume of patients. 

CACs will identify patients who are suitable for home quarantine and evaluate and monitor patients’ progress throughout their isolation periods. 

CACs will also start Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir or ritonavir) treatment for high-risk Covid-19 patients, identify and coordinate patients who need to be referred to hospital, and assess and discharge cases whose isolation periods have expired. 

Dr Noor Hisham said the MOH had also introduced the use of the antiviral Paxlovid to the Covid-19 Clinical Care Pathway since April 15 to treat patients with mild to moderate symptoms or categories two and three with priority given to high-risk patients. 

He said the use of such drugs and treatments has also been extended to private health facilities where the provision of the drug to patients is free. However, patients are still subject to consultation charges determined by the private health facility. 

According to Dr Noor Hisham, the MOH will monitor closely the spread of the infection in the community through the implementation of surveillance activities involving sentinel locations of influenza-like illness and severe acute respiratory infection nationwide. 

“It is also supported by whole genome sequencing activities to detect new variants as well as environmental surveillance through sewage water sampling from identified locations throughout the country,” he said. 

He also advised the public to practise a healthy lifestyle to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and other diseases, in addition to wearing face masks in crowded areas. – Bernama, December 27, 2022.