Updated 2 hours ago ·
Published on 29 Jun 2023 11:12PM ·
Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa says the ministry has decided to extend the status of local infection areas in Malaysia as the Covid-19 situation was not at a worrying level and health services were not under pressure. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, June 29, 2023.
THE isolation period for confirmed Covid-19 cases has been shortened from seven days to five effective July 5, Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said.
In a statement today, she said this was because research showed that Covid-19 infectivity was at its highest in the first five days.
She also said that while it was compulsory before for Covid-19 patients to mask up when using public transport and in health facilities, it is now not compulsory to do so.
Zaliha, however, said that high-risk individuals like senior citizens, those with chronic diseases, individuals with low immunity or pregnant women are strongly encouraged to wear face masks, especially in crowded places and areas with poor ventilation.
She said individuals with respiratory symptoms are also encouraged to mask up while using public transport such as buses, on flights and taxis, including e-hailing services, worker bus/vans and school buses or vans to prevent infection to others.
Zaliha said the ministry had decided to extend the status of local infection areas in Malaysia, due to end tomorrow, by another six months until December 31, 2023, although the Covid-19 situation was not at a worrying level and health services were not under pressure,
This is to facilitate management of the disease as there are risks of the emergence of new variants and sub-variants of SARS-CoV-2 in the country, she said.
“Apart from this, mass gatherings are expected to occur during the Hari Raya Haji celebration and also coming state elections, which risk contributing to an increase in cases and burdening the government healthcare service system if prevention and control measures are not fully implemented.
Zaliha said new Covid-19 cases had declined by 53.5% (5,801 cases to 2,698 cases) and deaths dropped by 35.3% (17 cases to 11 cases) in the past five weeks.
“In terms of hospital capacity, admissions of Covid-19 patients to public hospitals and bed occupancies have dropped while usage of Intensive Care Unit beds remains stable at six per cent,” she said. – Bernama, June 29, 2023.
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