PETALING JAYA: Despite a recent increase in the number of new Covid-19 cases, health experts believe that it is not necessary to reimpose the movement control order (MCO) just yet.
They said it has not reached a level where a full lockdown is required, but tightening restrictions in the hardest hit states such as Kedah and Sabah would be helpful.
The nation should continue to focus on reviving the economy, they added.
Virologist Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Lam Sai Kit and professor in medical microbiology Zamberi Sekawi have instead proposed that Malaysians get immunised against influenza.
Lam told The Sun this would ensure that the people are protected against at least one of the “horrible twins”, while Zamberi said in a recent interview with The Borneo Post that such an exercise could help to prevent the health system from being overwhelmed.
The two health experts were commenting on the increase of new infections in recent days.
The number of new cases was hovering at around 10 per day before it saw a big jump to 62 on Sept 7, and then to 100 the following day. The peak came on Sept 11 when 182 new cases were recorded.
This led to Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announcing that the MCO could be reimposed if the trend continues.
Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah recently expressed concern that the number of new cases could rise as winter approaches in some countries.
Zamberi, who serves as chairman of the Malaysian Influenza Working Group, said the flu shares similar symptoms with Covid-19.
He said in some countries, the flu jab is given as winter approaches but it could be administered at any time of the year in Malaysia, adding that the shot provides protection only for a year.
“The flu virus can mutate so an ‘update’ vaccination should be done every year.”
Lam, who is also a research consultant at Universiti Malaya and a senior fellow at the Malaysian Academy of Sciences,
given current conditions, it was not necessary for the country to reimpose the MCO.
“Such a move will disrupt the economy and no one wants this unless it is absolutely necessary.”
He said travel restrictions to red zones in Sabah and Kedah would be “the right move”.
He also expressed concern that the Sabah election will be held at a time when there has been a spike in the number of cases.
“There will be a lot of movement and people from out of state will be returning to Sabah to cast their votes, so that is worrying.”
Professor of epidemiology and public health Dr Sanjay Rampal said most of the new cases were confined to only a few areas.
He said an enhanced MCO in the affected areas would be sufficient.
Malaysian Medical Association president Dr N. Ganabaskaran said the steps taken so far to curb Covid-19 have been effective.
