Indonesia, Malaysia warn of new wave of Covid-19 infections

On December 15, Indonesian authorities warned that the capital Jakarta could face a sharp increase in Covid-19 cases during the Christmas and New Year holidays in 2024. Meanwhile, the Malaysian Ministry of Health (MOH) has recommended the third booster dose of Covid-19 vaccine, especially for vulnerable groups.

The number of Covid-19 cases in Malaysia doubled in the week from December 3 to 9, due to people travelling between states during the year-end holidays and the changing weather. Photo: Straits Times

The head of the Jakarta City Surveillance, Epidemiology and Immunization Department, Ngabilah Salma, called on people to remain calm and continue to take protective measures when engaging in outdoor activities. The Jakarta City Government also urged people to complete the fourth round of booster vaccinations and to detect Covid-19 early in vulnerable groups, including the elderly, unvaccinated people, and those with high blood pressure, stroke, chronic kidney disease, cancer, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.

Ms. Salma said that the Covid-19 epidemic has basically been controlled, but the risk of infection in the community remains high due to the sharp increase in tourism and sightseeing activities during the year-end holidays. In addition, the number of Covid-19 cases also increased dramatically during the transitional season, causing the immune system to weaken.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Ministry of Health (MOH) has recommended a third booster dose of Covid-19 vaccine, especially for vulnerable and high-risk groups, following a sharp increase in infections in recent months.

According to the data reported for the week of December 3-9, the number of Covid-19 cases increased to 12,757 compared to 6,796 cases in the previous week. MOH attributed the spike to people traveling between states during the year-end holidays and the changing weather, and advised people to wear masks in crowded places, and those who tested positive and had symptoms should self-isolate to prevent the spread of the disease to the community. In addition, authorities will deploy appropriate interventions in screening at entry points.

HAPPY CHI

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