KUALA LUMPUR: Sporadic and asymptomatic Covid-19 cases are on the rise in the Klang Valley.
Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the Klang Valley has recorded the highest number of infections in the country in the 24th epidemiological week (Epid).
Out of the 578,105 Covid-19 cases from Jan 1 to June 19 (24th Epid week), 398,846 or 69.0 per cent were identified as sporadic infections.
"Selangor and Kuala Lumpur recorded 151,725 cases (38 per cent) and 44,517 cases (11.2 per cent), respectively. This was followed by Sarawak with 40,889 (10.3 per cent).
"The districts with the most sporadic cases were Petaling with 3,905, Hulu Langat with 2,783 and Klang with 2,482 (all in Selangor).
"The sporadic cases and Covid-19 clusters map distribution in the Klang Valley from Epid Week 13 to 24 showed an increase of infections. Its distribution has been widespread and more significant.
"Although the Movement Control Order 3.0 announced on May 12 (Epid 19) had successfully controlled the rise of clusters in Epid 24, sporadic cases, however, have not shown any significant signs of decrease," said Dr Noor Hisham in a statement today.
Despite the June 1 lockdown which has entered the third week, said Dr Noor Hisham, daily Covid-19 cases were still high, registering over 4,000 cases.
The percentage of sporadic cases was also high, he said.
Dr Noor Hisham explained that sporadic cases referred to infections that were detected in the community, but could not be tracked back to any existing clusters.
These cases, he said, were detected through workplace, community or symptomatic screenings.
"However, what was more worrying is that most sporadic cases are asymptomatic, which means one can infect anyone around them who do not practice the correct Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)," he said.
Due to the densely populated Klang Valley, Dr Noor Hisham said people are not only exposed to the danger of sporadic cases, but also asymptomatic Covid-19 cases.
"In other words, it is hard for us to know who among us has Covid-19. It is therefore important for everyone to be wary and protect themselves and their families from the dangers of Covid-19.
"We urge the people to be continuously consistent in adhering to all the SOP and practice self-health containing efforts in facing the growing number of sporadic cases and asymptomatic Covid-19 cases, especially in crowded and high-risk areas," said Dr Noor Hisham.
He suggested people refrain from leaving their homes unless necessary, and to comply with the National Security Council directives.
The people, he said, should optimise the use of communication technology to keep in touch with friends and family and to make online purchases.
Dr Noor Hisham also urged those with Covid-19 symptoms or identified as a contact to a positive case to undergo reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or Rapid Test Kit-Antigen (RTK Antigen) tests and to inform the Health Ministry via the MySejahtera app if they have been infected.
He also urged people in this category to go to the nearest Covid-19 Assessment Centre for further action.
He said those ordered to undergo the Home Surveillance Order must not mingle with their family members or leave their homes and to get emergency services if their health declines.
"Respond to the government's aim to achieve herd immunity by registering yourself and family members to get Covid-19 vaccination," he said.