KUCHING, Dec 19: Individuals who test positive for Covid-19 are required to undergo isolation or a Home Surveillance Order (HSO) for five days from the onset of symptoms.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) advises cases released after the fifth day to adopt preventive measures, including wearing a face mask when outside and avoiding crowded places or visits to high-risk groups until the 10th day.
The HSO will be issued via the MySejahtera app, where cases must complete the Home Assessment Tool (HAS).
In an infographic on Covid-19 positive case management posted on social media, close contacts are encouraged to self-quarantine if experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough, and flu.
They should also conduct self-tests using RTK Ag and follow health preventive measures to minimise the risk of spreading the infection.
Positive and suspected cases are advised to travel only for essential matters.
These measures are in response to Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad’s announcement that Malaysia will not reactivate the Movement Control Order (MCO) despite a sharp increase in Covid-19 cases, reaching a total of 20,696 new cases nationwide during Epidemiological Week 50 (Dec 10-16, 2023) – a 62.2 per cent increase from the previous week.
He said the Ministry had prepared a five-point strategy to deal with the surge of cases which includes early case detection via the Heightened Alert System (HAS), community tracing via TRIIS (test, report, isolate, inform and seek) system, monitoring of health facilities, effective risk communication and digitisation of the health system via the MySejahtera application.
Dr Dzulkefly reassured the public that the current situation is under control and not overburdening health facilities.
However, he emphasised the importance of vigilance, including maintaining distance, practicing good hygiene, and wearing masks indoors or in crowded spaces. He encourages high-risk individuals, such as seniors and those with critical illnesses, to receive booster shots.
Dr Dzulkefly added that there are no reports of new variants in the country, except for the existing Omicron and its sub-variants. — DayakDaily
