Covid-19: Situation continues to improve, but don't take things for granted, says Health DG

PETALING JAYA: The number of new Covid-19 cases in the country daily continues to show improvement, with fewer last week than the week before, says Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

The Health director-general also said the country's daily cases, deaths, hospitalisation and intensive care unit (ICU) rates in epidemiology week 41 (Oct 10-16) were generally showing a descending trend.

"New cases went down by 17.9% from 63,722 in week 40 to 52,321 in week 41.

"However, the number of new cases in Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur is showing a plateau.

"The average of active cases went down by 21% from 133,450 (week 40) to 105,497 (week 41).

"Deaths went down by 15.3% from 700 cases (week 40) to 593 (week 41).

"ICU numbers went down by 12%, while the number of those on ventilator support also decreased by 11.9%," said Dr Noor Hisham in a statement on Tuesday (Oct 18).

He said the national infectivity rate remained stable within 0.80 to 0.90 in the past week.

Hospital and quarantine centre capacity also saw about 1% to 3% improvements between week 40 and week 41.

Dr Noor Hisham, however, said the improving trend should not be a reason for the public to take things for granted.

"The ministry would like to remind the people to continue adhering to public health measures with full discipline.

"Regularly undergoing self-tests is highly encouraged for those who intend to travel to their hometowns in order to protect the people around them.

"Always undergo the TRIIS evaluation: Test, Report, Isolate, Inform and Seek," said Dr Noor Hisham.

On Tuesday, the country reported 5,745 new cases.

This brings the country's cumulative number of Covid-19 cases to 2,401,866.

Dr Noor Hisham said of the 5,747 new cases, 98% (5,630 cases) are mild and asymptomatic infections.

"Another 115 cases or 2% are Category 3, 4 and 5 infections," said Dr Noor Hisham.

There are now 682 patients in intensive care units (ICU) nationwide, of which 609 are confirmed Covid-19 infections while 73 are suspected cases.

Some 331 patients are on ventilator support.

The country's infectivity rate is at an RT level of 0.88%

The Health Ministry also identified eight new Covid-19 clusters.

Seven of the clusters are workplace outbreaks, while one involves an education institution.

Currently, there are 634 active clusters.