Health Minister Datuk Seri Adham Baba. - Bernama
PUTRAJAYA: Covid-19 positive cases appear to have reached a plateau as the people are putting into practice the advice from the health authorities, says Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba.
The Health Minister said while this is a positive indication, what is more crucial is to break the spread of the virus and this is the intention of putting the movement control order (MCO) in place.
He said the plateau in the number of new positive cases has something to do with practising social distancing, good personal hygiene and complying with the order placed by the authorities.
On Tuesday, health authorities recorded 120 new cases and 117 new cases on Wednesday.
Yesterday, the Health Ministry reported 110 new Covid-19 positive cases, bringing the total to 900.
“It is also because we conducted screening and did not under-report this.
“What is also crucial is that we have urged those who attended the tabligh rally at Masjid Jamek Sri Petaling, which is the biggest cluster so far, to be tested, ” he said, adding that 10,000 out of 14,000 participants had been tested for Covid-19.
Speaking at a press conference, Dr Adham said with the MCO in place, authorities are hoping to break the chain and bring the number of cases down.
“That is why it is important to stay at home and adhere to the order because we need to prevent the virus from spreading.
“We must not let our guard down. We must break the chain of spreading the virus.
“We must remain vigilant to bring the number of positive cases down and clear the country of Covid-19, ” he said.
The Health Ministry also recorded 15 cases who have fully recovered from Covid-19, bringing the total number of patients discharged to 75.
Dr Adham also confirmed that a passenger travelling in a bus from Johor Baru to Kuantan has tested positive.
He said health authorities have taken measures to identify all passengers in that bus.
“We are in the process of screening them. We will also advise the National Security Council to impose certain regulations on buses ferrying passengers, including social distancing and the use of personal protection equipment, ” he said.
It was reported that a man onboard the bus that departed from Larkin Sentral at 7.45pm on Monday had been found to have contracted the virus.
The bus with the licence plate VDJ 2367 stopped at the Endau bus station in Mersing before arriving at Terminal Sentral Kuantan.
On whether Kelantan mufti Datuk Mohamad Shukri Mohamad has been admitted to hospital on suspicion of Covid-19 infection, Dr Adham said he is waiting for the official report.
Shukri is reported to have been hospitalised after returning from Sarawak with fever and sore throat.
Dr Adham advised the public to remain calm while staying at home throughout the MCO, calling on them to practise a healthy lifestyle by carrying out physical activities, managing stress and eating healthily.
Those with chronic illnesses must ensure they have sufficient supply of medication and take them as prescribed by their doctor, he said.
On Johor hoping to open its border with Singapore, he said the matter will have to be raised at the National Security Council.
“The government, in implementing the order has, among others, decided that there should be no movement between countries, ” he added.
He noted that Johor to date has 101 cases.
