July Ends With Record Infections Icu Cases

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The final-day sitting of the Dewan Rakyat on Monday has been postponed after Covid-19 positive cases were detected in the building. (Bernama pic)PETALING JAYA: Yesterday’s record numbers of 17,786 new Covid-19 cases, and 1,062 people receiving intensive care, capped a difficult month as vaccination rates continue to race against the high number of daily infections.
The health ministry reported a total of 116,879 cases from July 25 to July 31, with the 17,000 mark breached on four of the seven days.
Malaysia also recorded 1,122 deaths during the same period, with a historical high of 207 deaths registered two days in a row.
However, it is also worth noting that over 10,000 people have recovered each day in the last five days, bringing the total number of those discharged to 79,781 in the past week.
This is an increase from the 55,687 recorded the week before, while 189,609 are still being treated.
Some 261 new Covid-19 clusters were detected this week. The 47 clusters reported on July 30 were the highest detected in a single day.
Meanwhile, the infectivity rate climbed a little from an R0 (R-nought) of 1.11 last week to 1.12 on Friday.
As of July 30, over 20 million vaccine doses had been administered, with 6.5 million people or roughly 20% of the population already fully vaccinated.
FMT takes a brief look at the major headlines on Covid-19 over the past week.
Teachers to be vaccinated before schools reopen
All teachers will receive their Covid-19 shots before schools reopen on Sept 1, according to vaccinations coordinating minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
He told the Dewan Rakyat that 73% of teachers across the country had received their first dose as at July 27, while 67% of supporting staff had also got their jabs. This included canteen workers and schoolbus drivers.
As for youngsters aged 12 to 17, the government has been advised to hold off vaccinations for this group until more data comes in from other countries on the side effects of vaccines on youths.
Decision soon on booster shots, mixing vaccines
The need for a third booster shot for fully vaccinated individuals and the possibility of mixing vaccines to enhance immunity is expected to be discussed in the coming week.
Khairy said this will be discussed by the Covid-19 vaccine supply access guarantee special committee (JKJAV) next week when it is briefed by its technical working group.
Dewan special sitting suspended over Covid-19 positive cases
The fourth day of the special Dewan Rakyat sitting was suspended several times due to positive cases in the building, with MPs and support staff instructed to undergo screening on Thursday.
Chaos erupted in the house after the Yang di-Pertuan Agong revealed that he had not given his approval for the emergency ordinances to be revoked, as previously announced by law minister Takiyuddin Hassan.
The final day sitting, initially set for Monday, was postponed by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to a later date after a risk analysis by the health ministry following the outbreak.
Govt mulls dedicated cemeteries for Muslims
Religious affairs minister Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri said the government would look into opening new cemeteries for the burial of Muslims who lost their lives to Covid-19.
Discussions are expected to be held with the National Fatwa Council and the muftis of all states to get their views on the matter.
Klang Valley walk-in vaccinations to begin this month
Walk-in vaccinations for Klang Valley residents will be available from 2pm on Monday until Aug 22 at selected vaccination centres, on a first-come-first served basis.
Priority will be given to Malaysians aged 40 and above or people with comorbidities in the first two days, before it is open to all aged 18 and above. Click here for further details on where or when to go, and what to bring. - FMT

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