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37 new cases of COVID-19 and 2 more deaths were announced Wednesday.
FILE PHOTO: Medical workers wearing protective suits pass through barbed wire in the red zone under an improved blockade, amid the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, May 11, 2020. REUTERS / Lim Huey Teng
(Updated: )
Marker
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian government may further tighten the movement control order (MCO) after May 18, if there is an increase in the number of new cases of COVID-19, the Health Ministry said on Wednesday (13 of may).
At a press conference, the director general of the health ministry, Noor Hisham Abdullah, noted that May 18 would mark the end of the 14-day incubation period, from the implementation of the conditional MCO on May 4.
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“Now we are observing the situation day by day. We would make a decision on time.
“We have seen the result of the MCO, which is the flattening of the curve. As for the conditional MCO, we have not yet seen the result. The result will begin (to be clear) on May 18, “he said.
READ: Malaysia will open ‘almost all’ economic sectors from May 4 with health protocols, says Prime Minister Muhyiddin
According to the conditional MCO that was announced by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin on May 1, almost all economic sectors were allowed to operate at full capacity, with strict standard operating procedures, starting May 4.
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The prime minister’s decision to ease the restrictions drew criticism, including from former health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad, who said it was too early. The latter also said that there may be another wave of cases as a result.
Dr. Noor Hisham said on Wednesday: “If (the number of) cases are still under our control, (we) can open more sectors. But if the cases continue to rise, then we have to reverse our decision. ”
He stressed that it is now up to the public to ensure a favorable outcome.
A medical staff member takes a swab from a man during a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) screening test, at a makeshift facility in Shah Alam, Malaysia, April 20, 2020. REUTERS / Lim Huey Teng
Additionally, Dr. Noor Hisham said that as of Wednesday, 58 more people had recovered from COVID-19, bringing the total number of recoveries to 5,281.
It also announced that there were 37 new cases, of which 21 were foreigners working in Malaysia.
“The sum of the 37 cases brings the total number of positive tests for COVID-19 to 6,779. However, the number of active cases is 1,387, ”he said.
The CEO also said there were two new deaths: that of a 30-year-old boy and another 90-year-old. This brought the cumulative number of deaths to 111.
READ: Malaysia prohibits citizens from going abroad, foreigners from entering the country for 2 weeks to curb the spread of COVID-19, says Prime Minister Muhyiddin
Malaysia announced its first three cases of COVID-19 on January 25, after three Chinese citizens tested positive.
After a three-digit increase in daily cases, Malaysians underwent the MCO from March 18 to control the increase in cases and flatten the curve.
Under the MCO, only essential services were allowed and police checks were blocked across the country to ensure public compliance.
Police officers check vehicles at a roadblock to enforce the movement control order due to the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, March 19, 2020. REUTERS / Lim Huey Teng
Describing the rationale for the conditional MCO as of May 4, Muhyiddin said the Malaysian economy has suffered a severe blow due to restrictions, and many Malaysians have lost their livelihoods.
The MCO is now scheduled to end June 9.
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