Malaysians Cheer On MOH As Health D-G Says Our Country's COVID-19 Curve Is Flattening
However, Dr Noor Hisham begged Malaysians to continue staying at home and practise good hygiene.
By May Vin Ang — 02 Apr 2020, 05:55 PM
It has been a full two weeks since the Movement Control Order (MCO) was implemented and it seems the government's restrictions are helping in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic
Looking at a graph made by the Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER), Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the actual number of COVID-19 cases in Malaysia were lesser than the numbers initially forecasted.
"If you look at this graph by MIER, there used to be a drastic curve which showed a huge spike in cases," he said, according to Malay Mail, during a press conference yesterday, 1 April.
"However if you look at it now, the curve flattens which shows early signs our efforts in calling the MCO has reduced cases."
As you can see in the graph below, the blue line which shows the actual number of cases in Malaysia, has been consistently lower than the red line that shows MIER's earlier predictions.
According to the graph, the rate of new coronavirus infections in Malaysia does appear to be slowing
According to Reuters, despite the reports of 140 to 200 new cases a day in the last two weeks, the graph by MIER shows that the total number of reported cases was 1,321 fewer than they earlier estimated.
The graph also indicates that the number of cases is increasing at an average rate of 7.5% per day, far below MIER's estimate of 12.5%.
Patients Under Investigation (PUI) waiting to be checked at a COVID-19 screening centre in Putrajaya Hospital.
Image via Mohd Fadli Hamzah/New Straits TimesHowever, Dr Noor Hisham stressed that the next two weeks are crucial for Malaysians to stay vigilant
"There are early signs that the COVID-19 outbreak is getting better in Malaysia. However, it depends on the people in these next two weeks," he wrote on his personal Twitter account.
"I beg all Malaysians to keep obeying the order to stay at home and keep practising good hygiene and preventive measures."
As of writing, Malaysia has 3,116 reported cases - the highest number of coronavirus cases in Southeast Asia - and 50 deaths.
Malaysians were definitely encouraged by the good news, with many cheering on our healthcare workers and others reminding each other to stay at home
"Alhamdullilah. Our medical professionals are heroes for putting their lives on the line to keep our country going," said one Twitter user.
"Congratulations, Ministry of Health (MOH)! We salute you. Keep it up!" cheered another.
"I suggest that this issue is not taken lightly by the public, because I fear Malaysians get complacent easily," said another netizen who also thanked MOH for everything.
While this user said, "Children of Malaysia, we can do it! Let's all obey the rules and stay at home. No wandering or going two to three times out to the market. Let's also maintain social distancing after MCO."
