April 20, 2023
KUALA LUMPUR – The number of Covid-19 patient admissions to the Health Ministry hospitals per 100,000 residents increased by 26.2% in the 15th epidemiological week from April 9 to 15 compared to the previous week.
In a statement on Wednesday (April 19), the Ministry informed that most patients were from high-risk groups such as the elderly and individuals with comorbidities, but the increase did not burden health services and hospitals were still operating as usual.
“From Jan 1 to April 15, the case fatality rate (CFR) of Covid-19 was reported to be 0.3% (compared to the Delta wave with a high CFR of 2.1%).
“A total of 80.7% involved patients aged 60 years and above while 82.6% were among individuals with comorbidities,” read the statement.
It said the death rate among patients who had never been vaccinated was six times higher than those who had received a booster dose.
Based on this year’s data, as of April 17, only 50% (16,327,196) Malaysians had received the first booster jab and 2.5% (819,150 individuals) had received the second booster dose.
“The risk of hospitalisation and the severity of symptoms can be reduced by taking a booster dose.
“…the public, especially high-risk individuals, are advised to get a booster dose due to waning immunity within three to six months of the last dose,” according to the statement.
The Health Ministry also reminded Malaysians to take precautionary measures to curb the increase in Covid-19 infection cases during Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
“Always practice TRIIS (Test, Report, Isolate, Inform, Seek) for individuals with symptoms and if the Covid-19 test is positive, the individual must isolate themselves, stay at home and not receive visitors,” it said, adding that they were also encouraged to wear face masks in congested, narrow and crowded areas to protect high-risk groups such as the elderly, individuals with comorbidities or low immunity, and children from being infected with the Covid-19 virus. – Bernama