HEALTH Director-General Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan said 12,757 Covid-19 cases were reported between December 3 and 9 (ME49) compared with 6,796 cases the previous week.

He said though the cases have nearly doubled, the situation was still under control and has not burdened health facilities.

He said most local cases involved mild symptoms not requiring hospital treatment.

“The rate of Covid-19 admissions (including suspected cases) to healthcare facilities for the use of non-critical beds and intensive care unit beds each rose to 1.4% in ME49.

“The rate of Covid-19 patients requiring respiratory aid also rose to 0.5% and the overall fatality rate from January 25 to December 9 was 0.72%,” he said in a statement today.

Radzi said Covid-19 cases were rising globally, coinciding with the year-end trend seen in other countries.

He said in ME49, 26 new Omicron variants were reported, comprising 21 variants of concern and five variants of interest.

“So far, no new variants have been detected in Malaysia. The variants still circulating in Malaysia are Omicron subvariants XBB.1.16, XBB.1.5 and EG.5.

“Although these are known for their high infectivity, they do not cause severe infection,” he said.

Radzi advised the public to take preventive measures including maintaining optimal personal hygiene, wearing face masks if symptomatic and getting Covid-19 booster jabs. – Bernama, December 13, 2023.