Jemilah: Endure Covid-19 for next two years

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PETALING JAYA: The people must be prepared to endure the Covid-19 pandemic at least for the next two years. But the Malaysian health system is ready for any spike in cases that may pop up now and then, says Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Mahmood (pic).

The Mercy Malaysia founder, who is the special adviser on public health to the Prime Minister, said a pandemic could only end when every level of society was empowered and able to help in controlling the spread of the disease.

“Covid-19 will not end for the next two years. There will be small spikes and people must not panic. But there must be aggressive tracing, quarantine and treatment.

“A vaccine may be available at the earliest next year. Herd immunity is questionable as data on antibodies is still showing a low conversion rate.

“When there is a spike in an area, an enhanced movement control order (MCO) that is localised to the area should be implemented immediately, ” she said in a statement.

She also said the MCO was not to end Covid-19, but an effort to flatten the curve.

“Our health systems can cope and there are more than enough ventilators. Their utilisation capacity is now only at 30%.

“In fact, the Health Ministry is starting to give their frontliners leave. Most cases are more than 80% mild, ” said Dr Jemilah.

She also said it was important that enforcement continued, not only from the authorities but also from the community.

“We have to face the bitter challenges of the MCO and Covid-19, but only if we pull together in the same direction can we win this.

“The new normal is a reality. Stay home as much as you can. Keep a safe distance and wear a mask.

“We need to live with Covid-19, just as we need to live with dengue, ” she said.

She said the Malaysian situation should not be compared to that of Hokkaido’s.

Malaysia decided to protect its borders, she said, adding that this was a critical move to help stop the spread of Covid-19.