HEALTH Director-General Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan said Covid-19 cases in the country were expected to continue rising towards the year end in conjunction with the festive and holiday season. 

He said, however, the ministry was doing all it could to keep the situation under control.

He also said the rise in cases was a “global phenomenon”.  

“Almost all countries are currently experiencing a rise in the number of Covid-19 cases.  

“Hence, we too, are expecting the number of cases to surge (in the coming weeks) but we will continue to monitor the situation to ensure it is under control,” he said.  

Radzi was optimistic that the spike in cases would subside in six weeks. 

“In most situations, from what we’ve learned before, where there is a surge in cases… usually it will be over in four to six weeks. 

“Considering the measures we have, we hope that we will be able to control and reduce the cases,” he added. 

Earlier, newly minted Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said Putrajaya would not implement a movement control order (MCO) as a measure to curb the current spike in Covid-19 cases.

Coronavirus infections in the country for Epidemiology Week 50 increased by 62.2% between December 10 and 16.  

In Epidemiological Week 49, Malaysia logged 12,757 cases. 

Dzulkefly said 97% of the new infections were in the less severe categories of 1 and 2 while 619 (3%) of cases were in the serious categories of 3, 4, and 5. 

A total of 151 of them were admitted in the intensive care unit, of which 96 required respiratory support.  

Meanwhile, Radzi assured the public that there was sufficient vaccine supply for now.  

He said people could just walk-in to get their doses. – December 18, 2023.