The R-naught (R0) value has been on a steady climb since the approval of phase 4 in Malaysia resulting in a 1.0 value.

Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah through a statement explained that a 1.0 rate would make the cases in the country progressively worse.

Before this, Covid-19 cases were on a declining trend but since then the cases are peaking, at times reaching more than 6,000.

Although words from the experts are sounds of concern, the question is are the people worried?

Han Wee Jee, a chemistry teacher in Petaling Jaya, said that the increase was expected.

“With the opening of most sectors and schools and allowing interstate travels, it is expected that the number of infections will increase,” he claimed.

The educator believed that as long as the nation’s healthcare and hospital admissions are not overwhelmed, the situation is under control.

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has expressed worried thoughts on the uptake of booster shots.

“Around 40 per cent of people getting their PICK booster appointments are not showing up for their jab,” he said.

If booster takes up is low, especially among the elderly and those with comorbidities, he warned that hospitalisation numbers will go up.

Nancy Ngeow urged the people to maintain high discipline on current SOPs as she is worried that MCO 4.0 will happen.

In the context of vaccines, she said, “There are many naive, gullible and vulnerable people that are getting the wrong messages about being vaccinated.”

She insists that there needs a push for vaccines and people to practice social distancing.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE