BREAKING COVID-19 News! Huh? As SARS-CoV-2 Infections Doubles Last 7 Days In Malaysia, Various Media Says 26.2 Percent Of Cases Are Caused By Delta Variant!
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Dec 12, 2023 11 months, 1 week, 3 days, 10 hours, 10 minutes ago
COVID-19 News: In the 48th Epidemiological Week (ME48/2023), Malaysia experienced a significant spike in COVID-19 cases, with the numbers nearly doubling from 3,626 to 6,796 between November 26 and December 2. Health Director-General Datuk Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan revealed this concerning surge in a recent update, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance among healthcare professionals.
Delta In Malaysia!
Dr Radzi disclosed that the rate of COVID-19 patient admission to health facilities, including suspected cases, stood at 3.5 per 100,000 population, with 1.0 per 100,000 population having mild symptoms. Despite the surge, he reassured the public that the situation was under control, as healthcare facilities were not overly burdened. The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) bed occupancy for COVID-19 cases was reported at 0.8%, while the rate for non-critical cases was 1.1%.
Delta Variant In Malaysia???
However, what was shocking and alarming and maybe even confusing was that various
COVID-19 News report quoted him as saying that there were no new variants or sub-lineages at play in Malaysia but that this recent surge was caused by the dominance of the Omicron variant, which accounted for a staggering 72.9% of the cases
and that the Delta variant, responsible for severe outbreaks globally, contributed to 26.2% of the cases. The remaining cases were attributed to the Alpha and Beta variants. Dr Radzi stressed that no new variants had been detected in Malaysia, and there were no signs indicating increased transmissibility or severity of locally circulating variants.
https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/12/989131/covid-19-cases-increase-6796-me482023
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/number-of-covid-19-cases-in-malaysia-nearly-doubles-in-a-week
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2023/12/11/covid-19-cases-increase-to-6796-in-me482023/107011
https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2023/12/11/covid-19-cases-almost-double-to-6800-in-one-week/
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bsp; Screenshot from media coverages
We are not aware that the Delta variant is still in circulation today with the exception of some recombinant Delta and Omicron sub-lineages or ‘Deltacrons’ that were in circulation a few months back in Australia and sporadically in various geolocations.
The alarming fact that Malaysia is having the Delta variant contributing to about 26.2 % of all current infections is worrisome and deserves the World’s immediate attention and also notification to the WHO and also various other health agencies if what they claim is true!
Perusing through the GISAID platform and other platforms, we could not find any Delta variants anywhere let alone in Malaysia and this is concerning as perhaps the GISAID platforms are not being properly updated or maybe someone is concealing such critical data!
Meanwhile, in a statement issued on December 11, Dr Radzi acknowledged the global increase in COVID-19 cases and assured that the Ministry of Health (MOH) would closely monitor the situation and remain prepared for any eventualities. He encouraged the public to maintain preventive measures, such as practicing good personal hygiene, frequent handwashing, and adhering to the TRIIS protocol (Test, Report, Isolate, Inform, and Seek) if symptomatic.
High-risk groups, including senior citizens, chronic patients, immunocompromised individuals, and pregnant women, were advised to take extra precautions by wearing face masks, especially in crowded places. COVID-19 positive individuals from high-risk groups were informed about the availability of Paxlovid antiviral treatment at the nearest health clinic to mitigate the risk of developing complications from serious infections.
While the rise in COVID-19 cases has triggered concerns, especially with the dominance of the Omicron variant, Dr Radzi reiterated that the situation was still manageable. He called on healthcare personnel to remain vigilant in the face of the increasing numbers. The Ministry of Health emphasized the importance of quick medical consultation for high-risk individuals experiencing worsening symptoms and recommended symptomatic individuals to rest at home and avoid crowded places.
Last week, Sarawak's tourism, creative industry, and performing arts minister, Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, expressed confidence in the health ministry's ability to respond decisively to any surge in infections. He reassured Sarawakians, particularly those in the tourism industry, that there was no need for excessive worry about the rising cases.
As Malaysia navigates this challenging period, the collaborative efforts of healthcare professionals, government authorities, and the public in adhering to preventive measures will play a crucial role in mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 surge and controlling the spread of the virus. The situation will undoubtedly continue to be closely monitored, with adjustments made as necessary to ensure the health and safety of the population.
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COVID-19 News, keep on logging to Thailand Medical News.
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