New Covid-19 cases nearly double to 12,757 compared to previous week

Covid-19 (file photo).

KUCHING, Dec 13: A total of 12,757 new Covid-19 cases were reported in Epidemiology Week (EW) 49, marking a notable increase from 6,796 cases reported in EW48 covering the period from Nov 26 to Dec 2 this year.

Health director-general Datuk Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan highlighted that there is a global surge in Covid-19 cases, including in several neighbouring countries.

“In Malaysia, this increase is in line with the trend that occurs at the end of every year which is observed in other countries.

“The majority of Covid-19 cases in Malaysia exhibit mild symptoms and often, do not require hospital treatment,” he said in a press statement today.

In terms of hospital capacity, Dr Muhammad disclosed there was a 1.4 per cent increase in admissions of Covid-19 patients, including those suspected of infection, in health facilities for both non-critical bed use and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) bed use.

Additionally, the utilisation of breathing equipment rose by 0.5 per cent compared to EW48.

Despite the upward trend in Covid-19 cases, Dr Muhammad emphasised that the overall situation in Malaysia remains under control.

As of the current period, he reported 26 new Omicron variants, comprising 21 cases of Variant of Concern (VOC) and five cases of Variant of Interest (VOI).

“As of now, no new variant has been detected in Malaysia. The prevailing contagious variant in the country is the Omicron variant, featuring subvariants XBB.1.16, XBB.1.5, and EG.5.

“Although this variant exhibits high infectivity, it does not lead to severe cases,” he added. — DayakDaily