Zero Covid-19 cases target by mid-July

PUTRAJAYA: With the Covid19 situation in Malaysia well under control now, the Health Ministry projects zero new positive cases can be achieved by mid-July provided the people fully comply with the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) standard operating procedures (SOPs), said Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

He said the ministry's modelling found this could be achieved if the SOPs, particularly on social distancing, wearing of face masks, frequently washing hands or using hand sanitisers were strictly followed.

The low new infections, high discharge and low mortality rates gave confidence that the much desired milestone could be achieved, he said at his tri-weekly press conference to update on the Covid-19 situation in the country, here yesterday.

He cited a New England Journal of Medicine report that stated that social distancing alone could contribute to a 65 per cent drop in new infections as a factor for the confidence.

The statistics back up his confidence, with just six new positive cases reported today versus 45 recoveries while there were no deaths.

With the latest figures, confirmed cases in the country stand at 8,596 while recoveries number 8.231 or 95.8 per cent. The death toll has remained at 121 cases or 1.41 per cent and has remained so since June 14.

On Tuesday, there were only three new cases while nine people had recovered.

With Covid-19 cases in the country sky-rocketing before Malaysia imposed the Movement Control Order (MCO) on March 18, the steps taken to contain the pandemic had borne fruit, the DG said

He added that it was this success that allowed the MCO to be first relaxed as the Conditional MCO from May 5 and thereafter as the RMCO from June 10.