MOH: New Covid-19 variants detected but situation stable amid S’pore’s 12,700 cases

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, May 24: The Covid-19 situation in Malaysia is stable as of now and is on a downward trend despite the discovery of new variants, says the Ministry of Health.

In a statement, it said that for epidemiological week 19 of 2026 ending May 16, total reported cases had fallen by 12.6 per cent, or 9,682 cases, compared to the same period last year.

Although there was a slight increase in week-on-week increase of 0.7 per cent, or 575 cases, the ministry stressed that the situation remains under control, and that the majority of the cases reported only involved mild symptoms with no hospitalisation needed, with no Covid-19 deaths reported so far in 2026.

The ministry also said that it had detected new Covid-19 variants in the community, but none showed signs of triggering a serious wave comparable to earlier pandemic surges.

The ministry also assured that it will strengthen international entry points and will work with border control agencies to monitor and respond to imported cases.

It also urged those in high-risk groups, such as the elderly, those with chronic illnesses, immunocompromised individuals, and pregnant women, to be vaccinated.

This came as Singapore reported 12,700 Covid-19 cases in the week of May 10 to 16, up from 8,000 the week before. Hospitalisations there also climbed over the same period. — DayakDaily