Health D-G Optimistic 3rd Phase Of MCO Can End COVID-19 In Malaysia
He added that the country might have already experienced its peak and is now in the recovery phase.
By May Vin Ang — 14 Apr 2020, 11:38 AM
The Ministry of Health (MOH) is optimistic of beating JP Morgan's prediction of Malaysia's peak number of COVID-19 cases
According to New Straits Times, Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the number of cases in the country was at 4,817, which is well below the 6,300 cases predicted by JP Morgan for the week ending on 14 April.
"Our target is to have less than the 6,300 cases as predicted. We are certainly doing much better and by [today] we will know," he said at the daily COVID-19 press conference yesterday, 13 April.
Based on the current trend, Dr Noor Hisham even expects the total number of COVID-19 cases in Malaysia to be below 5,000 today, 14 April
"Perhaps we will have less than 5,000 cases [today]. I am predicting, hopefully, we can bring the number down to 5,000," he said, as quoted by Malay Mail.
He added that the numbers were a sign that the first and second phases of the Movement Control Order (MCO) are working.
Dr Noor Hisham added that Malaysia might have already experienced its peak and is now in the recovery phase
However, he assured that the ministry is still monitoring the situation closely because they intend to bring the number of cases down further, reported Bernama.
"That's why the third phase of the MCO is important. We can reduce cases and not just flatten the curve, but end COVID-19 in this country," he said.
"But this all depends not just on MOH but on all of us right now," he stressed.
"If we can work together, I’m sure we can do that."
The latest group of COVID-19 patients that were discharged from Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz UKM (HUKM) on Sunday, 12 April.
Image via Noor Hisham Abdullah/Facebook