Covid-19: Malaysia better prepared to deal with Omicron surge, says Khairy

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is seen as better prepared to deal with the surge in Covid-19 cases due to the Omicron variant and knows how to protect the most vulnerable, says Khairy Jamaluddin.

The Health Minister said, in a tweet Tuesday (Feb 1), that the situation was not the same as seen in June to September, 2021, because the country is better protected now through vaccinations under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme.

"More than a month ago, I said that we expected Omicron to become dominant here as it has elsewhere and that when it did, cases would rise. That’s why we sped up our booster programme.

"We are now seeing the predicted quick rise in cases. However, there is no need to panic. There is a strong indication of decoupling between severe outcomes and cases,” he said.

He said the vaccination programmes for adults, adolescents and soon for children aged 5 to 12 years old are working well while the hospital utilisation rate remains under control.

"That's why we can shorten quarantine times, allow people to self-regulate and keep disruption to a minimum,” he added.

With more than 50% of adults and almost 70% of the elderly having received their Covid-19 booster dose, Khairy said Malaysia had every hope that it could weather the Omicron wave with carefully calibrated and proportionate measures.

"Follow the SOPs (standard operating procedures). #TRIIS. Get boosted. Get your kids vaccinated. We can do this,” he said. - Bernama

More than a month ago, I said that we expect Omicron to become dominant here as it has elsewhere, and that when it did, cases would rise. That's why we sped up our booster program.

We are now seeing the predicted quick rise in cases. However, there is no need to panic. 1/4 pic.twitter.com/pOJtbMQUBc — Khairy Jamaluddin (@Khairykj) February 1, 2022