Covid-19: Containment no longer possible, focus on mitigation, says Dr Lee

IPOH: Efforts to contain Covid-19 is no longer possible, says Dr Lee Boon Chye

The former deputy health minister said the number of cases and contacts are enormous and is unlikely for the ministry to be able to track and isolate all.

“Containment is no more possible.

“We should focus on mitigation to reduce the number of cases and optimise the healthcare resources, ” said the Gopeng MP on his Facebook.

He also said the ministry needs to focus on treating severe cases at hospitals.

“Mild cases and patients without symptoms should be kept in special areas with less intensive care.

“Patient-under-investigation (PUI) should also be put in special isolation facilities, maybe at special hotels or hostels until Covid-19 is excluded, ” he said.

“More staff needs to be trained to deal with Covid-19 and to ensure personal protective equipment to prevent infection are sufficient, ” he added.

Dr Lee also urged the government to issue a directive to stop all forms of mass gathering for one month.

These, he said, should include all activities including religious, social, sports activities.

“Schools, colleges, universities and kindergartens should also close for one month.

“All public transport, transport terminals and government offices should have disinfection regularly, ” he said, adding that overseas travel should be discouraged.

“They also should ensure sufficient supply of masks and food items, allowing only limited purchase, ” he added.

Dr Lee said the purpose of the control was to delay or prevent severe outbreaks until summer in the northern atmosphere.

“Hopefully by then, the infection will reduce tremendously and that effective treatment is discovered, ” he said.

“I believe a vaccine is still at least one year away, ” he added.

Malaysia’s number of Covid-19 cases hit 428, on Sunday (March 15), seeing the biggest increase in a single day with 190 new cases.