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Pandemic fatigue, lax in SOP compliance among factors for increase in Covid cases

PUTRAJAYA: Pandemic fatigue and the lack of compliance to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are among factors that contributed to the increase of Covid-19 cases in the country.

Former Health deputy director-general (medicine) Datuk Dr Rohaizat Yon said such a situation was expected since the emergence of the pandemic two years ago, when movements were restricted.

"The easing of Covid-19 curbs and border reopening, as well as the festive seasons have contributed to this, as many people are taking the opportunity to go for holidays after the restrictions were lifted.

"Apart from that, the lack of SOP compliance among individuals and certain groups have also contributed to the recent increase in Covid-19 cases," he told Berita Harian today.

Overall, Dr Rohaizat commended the collective efforts in adhering to the SOPs, while there was a only a small group of individuals who had failed to do so.

"While there was an increase in cases, most of them involved categories 1 and 2 patients with mild symptoms.

"Furthermore, the vaccination rate, as well as the country's healthcare system capacity have succeeded in keeping the Covid-19 situation stable. Hospitals have the capacity to handle categories 3, 4 and 5 admissions," he added.

Yesterday, Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said there was a 28.1 per cent increase during epidemiological week (EW) 24 between June 12 and 18, with 14,187 Covid cases, compared with 11,076 cases recorded in the previous week.

Meanwhile, the number of imported cases has dropped by 60 per cent from 20 cases in EW23 to eight cases in EW 24.

Deaths from Covid-19 have reduced by 16 per cent from 25 to 21 cases for the same period.

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