Influenza symptoms milder than Covid but not for high-risk groups, say experts

SHAH ALAM - Malaysia is once again put in a spot with rising Covid-19 and influenza cases.

Daily Covid-19 cases are averaging 4,000 cases daily.

Former deputy health minister Dr Lee Boon Chye said vaccination and precautionary measures have kept cases low but as the country goes into endermic phases, Covid cases as expected to increase again.

"The number of new infections will stay high (despite grossly unreported) but fortunately because of acquired immunity through vaccination or prior exposure, the mortality and number of serious illnesses remain relatively low.

"The situation will last for several weeks until most of the population is exposed to (Omicron) variant," he told Sinar Daily.

As for influenza cases, Dr Lee said some precautions similar to Covid-19 should be implemented to reduce the spread of Influenza.

"At the moment influenza illnesses are still milder as compared to Covid-19," he said.

But he said measures to reduce the spread of influenza such as wearing mask, maintaining physical distance, avoiding crowded places and getting a vaccination for high-risk individuals should be recommended.

Commenting further, Malaysia Medical Association (MMA) President Dr Koh Kar Chai said influenza will always be around and surges are likely expected at certain times of the year.

"Though influenza symptoms are more severe than the common cold, it is relatively tolerable.

"However, the very young, the elderly and those with comorbidities may suffer from severe influenza that can cause fatalities," he warned.

Maintaining good hygiene and wearing of facemasks when indoors in public places and for those who wish to get additional protection, there are vaccines available at private clinics to protect against influenza," he added.

Home-based teaching and learning not needed

Dr Koh further said it is not necessary for home-based teaching and learning (PdPR) or work from home (WFH) for both students and workers since Covid-19 cases are considered low.

"Such drastic measures are not necessary and we have better control now over Covid-19.

"Many companies have also adopted a hybrid system where some employees work from home as additional preventive measures and these efforts have helped.

"Children should continue with face-to-face lessons with the prescribed SOPs however those with certain health conditions may need to be medically assessed to determine if they can physically attend school," he said.

Dr Koh also said that MySejahtera check-in are no longer useful as individuals can use Infectious Disease Tracer on the application to check any infectious cases nearby.

"MySejahtera check-in was a compulsory exercise when it was used for contact-tracing in the early days of the pandemic," he said.

Dr Koh said added the tracker can be used in the event that a user needs to know if the surrounding area has any active cases.