Illustrative image. (Photo: mobihealthnews) Kuala Lumpur (VNA)– As the number of COVID-19 cases increases again in Malaysia, medical experts advisedlocal residents to continue to take preventive measures such as wearing masksin crowded places and washing their hands regularly.
The Southeast Asian country reporteda slight increase recently with Sarawak, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Melakaexceeding 100 cases, while other states had between eight and 59 cases daily.
According to Kumitaa Theva Das,a virologist at Universiti Sains Malaysia, there was a rising number of casesrecently but the situation was still under control because a majority of peoplein Malaysia have been vaccinated and the vaccines are still working.
Two of the four variants ofinterest (VOIs), namely XBB.1.5 and XBB.1.16, have been circulating in Malaysia.Since they are all Omicron strains, the symptoms will most likely be similarand not cause for concern, she said, adding that neighbouring countries such asBrunei and Singapore also recorded an increase in the number of infections.
Meanwhile, Penang Hospitalinfectious disease unit head Chow Ting Soo confirmed that there has been a risein cases and hospital admissions.
For certain groups of peoplesuch as the elderly, immuno-compromised patients and those with underlyinghealth conditions, the implications of being infected can be severe and lethal,she said, noting that the virus still exists in the environment./.
