Health Ministry rules out return of MCO as Covid-19 cases rise, TRIIS reinstated

PUTRAJAYA, Dec 18 — The Ministry of Health (MoH) has today ruled out any return of lockdowns such as the movement control order (MCO) after an increase of 62.2 per cent in Covid-19 cases last week.

However, its minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad said the ministry will reinstate the Test, Report, Isolate, Inform, Seek (TRIIS) framework to prevent any outbreak.

"Malaysia is currently facing a sudden increase in Covid-19 cases," he told reporters here.

"The Ministry of Health hopes that this situation can be dealt with without having to repeat restrictions such as the MCO that occurred at the beginning of the pandemic."

Dzulkefly said despite the reported increase in cases, the current situation in Malaysia is still under control and is not burdening existing health facilities.

“We are ready for any eventuality but nothing to be alarmed," he said.

“MoH will continue to monitor the situation of Covid-19 and related variants within and outside the country."

In order to deal with the current surge in cases, Dzulkefly said the MoH has strengthened its Covid-19 management plan through five main strategies.

The five strategies are early detection of Covid-19 cases and their variants, empowering communities through TRIIS practices, health facility monitoring, management and control of Covid-19 cases especially to protect high-risk groups, empowering communities through effective risk communication, and digitisation of the health system in pandemic management through the MySejahtera application.

The ministry also advised the public to always practice preventive measures such as avoiding the "3S" (crowded places, confined spaces, and close conversations), and practising the "3W" — regularly washing hands with soap and water (wash), wearing a face mask in public places or if symptomatic (wear), and heeding warnings (warn).

In addition, Dzulkefly encouraged the taking of additional doses of the vaccine, especially for high-risk groups to avoid complications if infected with Covid-19, especially the elderly or individuals with chronic diseases.

“Obtain Paxlovid antiviral treatment at the Health Clinic or the nearest private medical practitioner for individuals positive for Covid-19 and at high risk.

“A list of these health facilities can be found on the Ministry of Health's Covid-19 website or MySejahtera,” he said.

Malaysia recorded a total of 20,696 new Covid-19 cases last week, with 28 deaths.