KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry has reassured the public that the Covid-19 situation in Malaysia is under control, with due attention to its mortality rate.
Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad underscored that the majority of Covid-19 cases in Malaysia exhibit mild symptoms, eliminating the necessity for hospitalisation.
"For Epidemiology Week 51 (ME-51) (Dec 17 - 23), the hospital admission rate for individuals with Covid-19 is at 0.5 percent, and the mortality rate is 0.08 percent.
"These statistics affirm that both parameters persist at a reassuringly low level," he said in a statement today.
Dr Dzulkefly further conveyed that no new variants have been detected in Malaysia, with only the Omicron variant and its subvariants XBB.1.16, XBB.1.5, EG.5, and JN.1.
"The spreading sub variants of Omicron are known not to induce more severe cases. The Covid-19 virus is anticipated to coexist with us, adopting a 'living with the virus' approach, similar to other respiratory viruses like influenza," he said.
He also advised vulnerable groups, including the elderly, individuals with chronic conditions, and those with compromised immune systems, to wear face masks in crowded settings or when using public transportation.
"The public is strongly encouraged to consistently adhere to personal care responsibilities, including the use of face masks when necessary, compliance with the Three Important Steps (TRIIS), and regular updates of their status on MySejahtera.
"This is crucial to ensure the protection of vulnerable populations and obtaining accurate, reliable information about respiratory infections, including Covid-19, from credible sources."