Covid-19: Keep face masks on as Malaysia enters new wave, says Khairy

PETALING JAYA: People should keep their face masks on in crowded and enclosed areas as a new Covid-19 wave sweeps the nation, says caretaker Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin (pic).

Khairy said that the public should remain vigilant and adhere to the TRIIS method - to Test, Report, Isolate, Inform, and Seek - should they be infected.

He added that the drug Paxlovid would be given to high-risk patients.

“Covid-19 cases have reached nearly 4,000 today, with about 96% belonging to Category 1 and 2. We are experiencing a wave of infections. Whether the wave is big or small depends on our actions,” he said in a post on his official Twitter account.

ALSO READ: Malaysia experiencing small Covid-19 wave due to XBB subvariant, says Health Ministry

Prior to this, Khairy had said the nation was experiencing a small wave of Covid-19 cases due to the Omicron XBB subvariant.

On Monday (Oct 31) , Khairy had said that Covid-19 infections due to the XBB subvariant were expected to go up in the next few weeks to between 3,000 and 5,000 cases with the crest of the wave coinciding with GE15.

He reminded the public to be careful, especially with the country entering the campaign period of the 15th general election.

Khairy also encouraged front-line staff including Election Commission (EC) employees who will be on duty during GE15 to get a second booster vaccine dose.