Page 104 - MALAYSIA HEALTH SECTOR RESPONSE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC: PERSPECTIVES FROM THE FIELD

Figure 5.3: 14-day moving map for COVID-19 cases in Sabah and Sarawak
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as of 31st December 2020 (Source: Facebook Director-General of Health )

5.2.1 Public Health Measures

Public health measures were essential in mitigating the spread of COVID-19
in the community. These measures have been proven efficient in controlling
the first and second COVID-19 waves in Malaysia. When the substantial third
wave of COVID-19 cases swept through since early September 2020, the
daily case tallies related to prison clusters fluctuated between a low double
to a high triple-digit range in October 2020.

The COVID-19 transmission had expanded from prison inmates to the prison
staff and subsequently to the staff’s family members. The fear of a possible
spread of COVID-19 among the local communities was valid since 80% of the
infected individuals were asymptomatic . MOH Malaysia had therefore
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intensified screening of close contacts related to the confirmed COVID-19
cases, as well as intensified targeted screening for high-risk groups in EMCO
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areas such as :

68 BATTLING THE THIRD COVID-19 WAVE IN MALAYSIA
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