KUALA LUMPUR: The spike in daily Covid-19 cases in Selangor of late is attributed to a backlog in cases.
Selangor Task Force for Covid-19 (STFC) head Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said cumulative cases include those uncovered during mandatory screening of factory workers (by the Social Security Organisation), as well as screening held in prisons, hospitals, and private clinics that were not reported directly, or in real-time.
"For the record, an increase in cases was the result of pending cases over the past 10 days", he said in a statement.
Dr Dzulkefly said it is important to note the 'positive rate' in screening tests that need to be intensified in the community, where the positive rate is less than five per cent as set by the World Health Organisation.
He said as the virus is 'roaming' in the community, it must be addressed immediately using public health approaches such as expanding screening using the Antigen Rapid Test Kit (RTK-Ag).
"Also, it is crucial to increase technological capabilities in the detection of close contacts, which is currently slow as we are using manpower instead of digital apps."
Dr Dzulkefly said there is an urgent need to increase the number of frontliners to expedite the process; from screening, to close contact tracing, isolation, quarantine, treatment, and monitoring of quarantine patients.
He said Selangor, as a rapidly developing state with a high-density population, as well as industrial activities, businesses, and construction sites, will surely suffer the worst.
"If all these processes are slow, then we can only play the role of 'catch up' or 'just follow the virus, then the transmission rate of Covid-19 will continue to spike."
Dr Dzulkefly said the STFC had recently proposed a proactive programme called Preventing Outbreak at Ignition Site (POIS).
He said POIS is a voluntary tripartite partnership among state governments, employers, and non-governmental organisations.
"The focus is given to conducting regular screening in all factories and workplaces, including construction sites.
"If the collaboration of all parties can be further strengthened and the right approach is taken at the right time, we still have hope to curb the increase in new cases effectively with the 'whole of government' and 'whole of society' approach."