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Surge in COVID-19 cases unlikely in Malaysia: expert

Malaysia is not likely to see an exponential spike in daily Covid-19 cases despite the possibility of facing a new wave of infection in the next few months, local media said, quoting the opinions of a virologist.
Surge in COVID-19 cases unlikely in Malaysia: expert ảnh 1A health worker injects COVID-19 vaccine for a local resident in Selangor, Malaysia. (Photo: XINHUA/VNA)
Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Malaysia is not likely to see an exponential spike indaily Covid-19 cases despite the possibility of facing a new wave of infectionin the next few months, local media said, quoting the opinion of a virologist.

Dr KumitaaTheva Das at Universiti Sains Malaysia said what set Malaysia apart from othercountries currently facing the new wave of COVID-19 infections were highvaccination and booster rates.

Accordingto her, the vaccination and booster rates in Malaysia are one of the highest inthe world, so it provides a certain amount of protection, at least againstseverity against re-infections.

Malaysiaalso retain its indoor mask-wearing mandate and people are still wearing themoutdoors, which are effective in keeping people safe, she said.

Earlier, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin cautioned Malaysians to bracefor a possible new COVID-19 wave in the next few months.

Hesaid that the new wave of infection could happen based on the virusepidemiology development in other countries.

Kumitaa advised Malaysians to continue maintaining good healthpractices including frequent washing of hands, avoiding large gatherings,ensuring a covered place is well-ventilated and wearing face masks at alltimes.

Shesaid the overall trend of decrease in cases had also created a false sense ofsecurity, which could be detrimental, and urged people not to let their guarddown.

Shealso recommended that getting tested as soon as possible is still one of thebest measures against COVID-19.

Besides, Kumitaa said the European Centre of Disease and Control (ECDC) recentlyassessed that a second mRNA COVID-19 booster dose was proven to be mostbeneficial in providing coverage against COVID-19 re-infection to those aged 80years and above./.
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