PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry (MOH) needs a period of two weeks to make the necessary preparation to contain the COVID-19 transmission in the country.
Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said among the preparations was to stock up on equipment and medicine as well as reviewing the layouts to further increase the wards and intensive care units (ICU) capacity for COVID-19 patients.
Therefore, he appealed to all Malaysians to assist the ministry by imposing self and family restriction for two weeks in order to break the infection chain and allow hospitals to have more room to treat the increasing number of patients.
"The rising infection now is due to being exposed to activities within two weeks. We have not seen any activities after Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
"Before Hari Raya Aidilfitri, there was exposure to the virus either through movement or gathering activities in shopping malls and public places," he said at a joint press conference with Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob here, today.
Dr Noor Hisham said several actions had been taken by the MOH to address the recent increase in COVID-19 cases, including identifying temporary facilities to accommodate critical patients.
At present, the use of ICU beds nationwide has reached 91 per cent while in the Klang Valley alone is 113 per cent.
Dr Noor Hisham added that the MOH had identified certain spaces, such as the daily treatment observation wards, to be converted into ICUs and added 27 beds to the field ICU at Kepala Batas Hospital.
The ministry had also asked private hospitals to increase their ICU capacity to 124 beds compared to 104 previously, besides utilising Section 3 of the Emergency Ordinance to take over new hospitals that have not been used such as the Cyberjaya Hospital and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Children's Specialist Hospital to treat COVID-19 patients.
In addition, Dr Noor Hisham said other strategies included creating a Unified Command Centre responsible for looking at the integration of ICU beds, postponing elective surgeries and referring non-COVID-19 surgeries to private hospitals.
He explained that the MOH also used the outsourcing method, namely to refer non-COVID-19 cases to private hospitals and turning public facilities into COVID-19 Low-Risk Quarantine and Treatment Centres (PKRC).
However, Dr Noor Hisham stressed that increasing the number of beds and ICU was not the absolute solution to address the pandemic, and only public health action could flatten the COVID-19 infection curve.
"The virus does not move, humans do. So help us and stay at home. The virus will multiply in the lungs resulting in mutations if there is a lot of reproduction," he said.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Sat May 22 2021
Dr Noor Hisham appealed to all Malaysians by imposing self and family restriction for two weeks in order to break the infection chain and allow hospitals to have more room to treat the increasing number of patients. -- BERNAMApic
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.