Best way to stop Covid-19 wave: Stay at home, says Health DG

PUTRAJAYA: Staying at home is the best method to stop the current Covid-19 wave that is affecting the country, says Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

The Health director-general said while there are many “strategies” to prevent from catching the virus from another person, nothing beats avoiding contact with other people altogether.

“The ministry’s advice is always for the people to follow this strategy which involves six methods. They are applying physical distancing, using face masks, constantly washing hands, combined with avoiding crowded areas, confined spaces and close conversations.

“If you apply this strategy of six methods, you can break the chain of infection up to 85%.

“However, if you want to break the chain by 100%, then stay at home. That is the best way of all, ” said Dr Noor Hisham at a press conference here on Monday (Oct 19).

The Health director-general was asked whether the government intends to tighten the standard operating procedure (SOP) considering the number of cases has continued to increase.

“What we have implemented in Sabah and Klang Valley is the conditional movement control order (MCO) where the economic sector is allowed to open, but we close the education, social and sports sector.

“We have previous experience of overcoming the Covid-19 wave, back in March. The message back then is the same today, which is to stay at home.

“We need to go back to this method which worked well for us in the past, ” said Dr Noor Hisham.

Malaysia’s Covid-19 cases continued to remain in the 800 mark for three days, with 865 new cases reported on Monday.