Boost medical capabilities at national entry points - Expert

SHAH ALAM - The government is advised to enhance medical capabilities at every national entry point to detect and curb the spread of Covid-19 infections.

University Malaya Virology Professor Dr Sazaly Abu Bakar said that providing medical laboratories at the country's entry points would facilitate rapid disease detection.

"If we can successfully detect Covid-19 quickly, we can promptly treat and contain its spread.

"It's crucial to enhance the capabilities of laboratories at these entry points," he told Sinar yesterday.

Dr Sazaly noted that the observed increase in Covid-19 cases towards the end of the year might be due to several factors.

"Weather conditions and school holidays may also contribute to the increase in Covid-19 infections in the country.

"Most people are in places with poor air circulation, making us more susceptible to other respiratory infections like influenza-A, influenza-B, and rhinoviruses," he added.

However, he noted that Covid-19 symptoms might not be as critical as before, as the general public has received vaccines that enable the body's immune system to fight against Covid-19.

"But for those with comorbidities (suffering from two or more diseases simultaneously like diabetes, heart disease, asthma, and chronic kidney problems), although they have been vaccinated, they remain at risk because their body's immunity may not be as strong as others," he clarified.