MELAKA: When the Covid-19 pandemic hit the country in March last year, hand sanitiser and face masks became among the most-sought after items in the m.
Experts back full lockdown in Selangor Veena Babulal KUALA LUMPUR: As increasing Covid-19 infections wreak havoc on the country s healthcare system, experts are saying that a full lockdown, similar to the first Movement Control Order, may be the way to curb further spread of the coronavirus.
Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry s (Mosti) Covid-19 Epidemiological Analysis and Strategies Task Force chairman Datuk Dr Awang Bulgiba Awang Mahmud said such a lockdown was necessary for Selangor, where healthcare services appeared to be on the brink of collapse. There is a real danger of an exponential increase in cases, the likes of which we have never seen before, and this could completely overwhelm our healthcare system. We are probably on the brink of something like that.
KUALA LUMPUR: The high number of people turning up at vaccine dispensing centres (PPV) to “try their luck” boils down to a fear of missing out on the vaccination amid their anxiety over the rising number of Covid-19 cases, say public health experts.
“This is real in many places, ” said Malaysian Public Health Physicians Association president Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar
(pic), referring to the large crowds at the four centres in the Klang Valley.
He also spoke about a sense of distrust in authorities among some people.
For example, he said that these people tend to listen to rumours and would thus bank on any window of opportunity, “even the smallest one”.
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Malaysia has imposed another Movement Control Order (MCO) in Kuala Lumpur, as well as six districts in the country s most populous state, Selangor.
This follows a rise in COVID-19 cases that seem to have upended efforts to curb the virus spread.
People are calling this new round of strict lockdowns MCO 3.0 , though many are skeptical of its effects in actually keeping COVID-19 numbers down, considering the fact that people were still found violating SOP.
Malaysians may want to be extra careful this time.
Gentle reminder: Wearing of facemask is mandatory, says an electronic board targeting visitors at The Pavilion, Kuala Lumpur. FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Here’s what everybody can do to stop the daily number of Covid-19 cases from spiralling up further.
Health experts are urging the public to practise self-regulated movement restrictions and to avoid going out unnecessarily.
Daily Covid-19 cases have recorded more than 2,000 cases for the past eight days, while the current national infectivity rate (R0) is at 1.13.
Kelantan recorded the highest R0 at 1.45, followed by Kuala Lumpur at 1.27 and Negri Sembilan at 1.23 as of Friday.
Universiti Putra Malaysia medical epidemiologist Assoc Prof Dr Malina Osman said to prevent a further rise in infection, the public should avoid going out and being involved in activities that require a person to be in a situation where they need to take off their masks. “This is based on our self-assessment as well, and that we should onl