KUCHING: Nothing much we can do but continue to comply with COVID-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) to keep the number of cases from rising.
Dr Siti Fairouz Ibrahim, a senior lecturer from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), gave this assertion when contacted on Sunday (Feb 6).
She added that the government was currently focusing on improving the country’s economy and there was nothing much it could do to prevent the number from rising.
On Saturday, COVID-19 cases in Malaysia rose to 9,117, passing the 7,000 mark on Feb 4.
In Sarawak, the number of cases increased to 42 on Saturday and on Friday, it recorded 22 cases.
“There are two factors that contribute to the rising COVID-19 cases, which is the lifting of the Movement Control Order (MCO) and the relaxation of SOPs.
“By nature, the Omicron variant is more infectious and can be easily transmissible, thus the increasing number of cases,” she pointed out.
She said that the number was already increasing fast, however, she could not determine the timeline regarding the peak number of cases or when the cases would go down.
“We just have to be aware of what is happening globally. For now, it is also unnecessary for the government to impose another lockdown.
“The public also must remain vigilant and follow the SOPs, wear face masks, avoid enclosed and crowded places and get the vaccination,” said Dr Siti.
