Health experts urge Malaysians to mask up amid rising COVID-19 cases
With a rise in COVID-19 cases in Malaysia of late and more social gatherings for Hari Raya festival expected in the coming days, public health experts are suggesting that face masks be worn in public.
Public health experts are suggesting that face masks be worn in public in Malaysia. (Photo: thestar.com.my)Public health expert Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia said individuals at high risk of developing severe COVID-19 include the elderly, the obese, those with high comorbidities, and those who are immunocompromised, such as people with diabetes and cancer.
Health Minister Zaliha Mustafa said that among those hospitalised with COVID-19, 63.8% were aged 60 and above, and 90.7% had comorbidities.
Most patients had mild symptoms. Deaths among patients who were not vaccinated were six times higher than among those who had received a single vaccine dose, Dr Zaliha added.
Professor Moy Foong Ming of Universiti Malaya’s Department of Social and Preventive Medicine suggested that the Health Ministry should intensify its public messages on the importance of wearing masks and encourage people to do so during the surge in cases.
As for infections in schools, she said parents should not send children with COVID-19 symptoms to school.
University Putra Malaysia medical epidemiologist Malina Osman told the Vietnam News Agency that the upward trend in the number of COVID-19 cases started about two weeks ago, right after schools reopened following a mid-semester break.
However, Malaysia is still managing the situation well, in the context that most people have been vaccinated with two basic doses, she said./.
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