PUTRAJAYA, December 18 — The Ministry of Health (MoH) has ruled out the return of lockdowns like the movement control order (MCO) despite a 62.2% increase in Covid-19 cases last week. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad stated that there’s no need for movement restrictions at the moment. Instead, the ministry will reinstate the Test, Report, Isolate, Inform, Seek (TRIIS) framework to prevent any outbreak. The current spike in Covid-19 cases is being addressed without resorting to measures like the MCO implemented at the pandemic’s beginning.
While 97% of cases exhibit mild symptoms and don’t require hospitalization, 151 cases are in the ICU, with 96 needing respiratory assistance. The past week recorded 28 deaths. The government imposed the MCO during the pandemic’s peak to curb virus spread. Dzulkefly reported a 62.2% increase in Covid-19 cases to 20,696 between Dec 10 and Dec 16. Although the situation is being managed without strict restrictions for now, the ministry remains vigilant, emphasizing the TRIIS framework’s reinstatement for effective prevention.
