Malaysia reports nearly 13,000 COVID-19 cases from December 3-9. (Photo: VNA)Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Malaysia reported nearly 13,000 COVID-19 cases during the country's 49th Epidemiological Week (ME 49/2023) from December 3-9, compared to 6,796 cases in theprevious week.
Director-general of the country’s Ministry ofHealth (MoH) Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan haswarned about the increase in new cases due to travel and gatherings duringcelebrations and festivities, while expressing his anxiety about a burdento the existing healthcare facilities.
Besides, Radzi provided an update on 21 Variant of Concern (VOC)and five cases of Variant of Interest (VOI).
So far, no new variants have been detected in Malaysia. Thevariants still circulating in Malaysia are the Omicron with subvariantsXBB.1.16, XBB.1.5 and EG.5. Although this variant is known to have a high rateof infectivity, it does not cause severe infections, he said.
Toenhance protection for high-risk individuals, especially those aged 60 andabove with comorbidities, obesity, a compromised immune system, or on medicationfor chronic diseases, Radzi recommended consultation with physicians regardingthe use of Paxlovid - the antiviral medication that has shown effectiveness whentaken within five days of symptom onset, providing an additional layer ofdefence for vulnerable populations./.
