Covid-19 in Malaysia is close to endemicity with the latest wave of the virus’ variant well under control, says health minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
Khairy said new Covid-19 cases have reduced by 13.4% compared to last week, while the rate of patients being admitted to hospital has plateaued and is likely to drop.
Although the rate of Covid-19 deaths increased slightly by 0.07% over the past week, he said, this was well below the case fatality rate indicator of 3%.
Citing these statistics at a press conference at Sungai Buloh Hospital today, Khairy expressed confidence that the new Covid-19 wave had peaked or was under control.
“We are heading towards endemicity very soon,” he said.
In early November, the health ministry had announced a new wave of Covid-19 cases following the discovery of the Omicron XBB sub-variant in the country.
Meanwhile, Khairy said Covid-19 positive individuals who will be voting on polling day will not need to queue up but will be escorted by health ministry officials directly to their voting booths.
They will be required to identify themselves to health officials at the entrance of voting centres, must be masked at all times, and should leave as soon as they have voted.
“This means Covid-19 positive individuals do not need to line up. They will not queue with the other voters,” he said.
He had announced yesterday that there will be no special lanes at polling centres, taking into consideration the resources, space and manpower constraints of the health ministry and Election Commission.
He said the MySejahtera application will have guidelines for Covid-19 positive individuals on how they should go about casting their votes.
He said this is the most efficient and effective way for them to vote, so that they can go directly to their voting booths and head home immediately after casting their ballots.
Khairy also urged the public to be vigilant over the weekend, especially on polling day.
“On polling day, there will be thousands of voters, it will get very crowded. Bring your mask and wear it with you when you cast your vote,” he said. – FMT