HEALTH Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the number of Covid-19 cases is expected to drop next month. 

He said the current Covid-19 situation is being monitored based on four criteria, namely the number of infection cases, deaths, and admissions to the intensive care unit and the burden faced by health facilities, especially hospitals. 

“Insya-Allah, this January (cases) will come down, let’s pray together,” he said at the Amanah National Convention today.  

Yesterday, Dzulkefly said Covid-19 cases recorded in the 51st Epidemiological Week, from December 17-22, increased by 29.5% to 22,413 cases compared to 17,307 cases recorded in the previous week. 

He added that actions taken by the Health Ministry (MOH) would be based on needs and not just look at the increased number of cases. 

“Some are angry because it is not mandatory to wear a face mask. But I will not be influenced by an emotional approach, and what I do is evidence-based, which is subject to the heightened alert system, and that will continue,” he said. 

He said in the event of major changes, the MOH will refer to the four criteria mentioned earlier. – Bernama, December 24, 2023.