Don’t take it easy just yet, Dr Noor Hisham reminds Malaysians

KUALA LUMPUR: Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah has cautioned Malaysians against taking it easy in the fight against Covid-19.

He noted that Malaysia today recorded only one new Covid-19 case, the second time in many months.

“It has been a month since the country recorded one Covid-19 daily case, which was on July 1. Once again, we have seen a reduction in daily cases to just one,” he said.

He expressed his gratitude to all quarters, saying that this was achieved through the hard work and effort put in by all sections of society, as well as the roles played by the various agencies.

“The Health Ministry hopes that the public will continue to abide by the new normal in their daily lives and follow the standard operating procedures (SOP) in place,” he said.

He cautioned that a resurgence in cases is a very real possibility if the people become complacent and do not take the directives seriously.

He reiterated his call for the people to continue practicing physical distancing of at least one-metre away from each other; maintain personal hygiene especially hand hygiene; avoid crowded and closed areas as well as to avoid close-quarters conversation.

“It is important that the community continues to take preventive measures at all times to ensure that we emerge victorious in this fight against Covid-19,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Noor Hisham also rejected claims on social media that the ministry had instructed those who had recently vacationed in Kubang Pasu, Kedah to undergo Covid-19 screening.

The claims on social media are believed to be referring to the Sivagangga cluster, which has led to the Targeted Enhanced Movement Control Order (TEMCO) being enforced in four sub-districts in Kedah.

“The Health Ministry has never released any official statement to that effect,” he said.

He reiterated that those who should go for screening are people who have had close contact with Covid-19 positive patients; people living within the TEMCO areas; those who had patronised the restaurant at the centre of the Sivagangga cluster, or had contact with the restaurant staff, between July 13 to July 27.

He urged the people to always check on the veracity of such claims.

Source: NST