The total number of COVID-19 infections in the country is expected to reach 20,000 cases in the next few days.
Photo via Nikkei Asian Review
Based on the current pattern of increasing cases with an average of 550 to 650 cases recorded recently, Public Health Specialist, Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Associate Professor Dr. Malina Osman said: "In terms of public health, we look more at the number of active cases, new cases and the number of those critical in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in addition to the pattern of case distribution and new clusters.”
"Currently, there are almost 6,000 active cases nationwide. Efforts to intensify the prevention and protection of green zones need to be stepped up.”
"We all need to seriously adhere to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and work hand in hand with the front line to break the chain of infection and hit the graph," she told Astro AWANI.
Photo via The Edge Markets
On Thursday (15 October), the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) confirmed the number of new COVID-19 cases in the country of 589 cases with a total of 18,129 cases.
Meanwhile, the death toll reached 170 cases with an increase of three deaths.
Commenting further, Malina said the most practical step at the moment is to close state borders and ban travel between states across the country.
"At the same time, states that are still in the green zone can continue to live as usual while states involved in the increase in cases or clusters such as Selangor need to be implemented PKPB or PKPDB depending on the situation," she explained.
Remember to follow SOPs and stay safe, everyone.
By: Aishah Akashah Ahadiat
