Overall situation
A rising trajectory in COVID-19 cases in Malaysia was observed in week 16.
New this week
Four states (Selangor, W.P Kuala Lumpur, Kelantan and Sarawak) reported 14-day incidence density exceeding 100 cases per 100,000 population. It is worth noting an alarming two-folds rise of incidence occurred in Kelantan, with the highest Rt of 2.0 by the end of week 16, followed by W.P Kuala Lumpur (Rt-1.4).
Trends in reported cases, hospitalisation and mobility
The 7-day moving average of 2,219 cases (17th April 2021) increased to 2,484 cases (24th April 2021). The increment has been driven primarily by outbreaks in Kelantan and W.P Kuala Lumpur. Meanwhile, it is relatively stable in most states including Sarawak, Selangor and Sabah.
Four states (Selangor, W.P Kuala Lumpur, Kelantan and Sarawak) had reported 14-day incidence densities exceeding 100 cases per 100,000 population. An alarming two-folds rise of incidence occurred in Kelantan. While most states demonstrated a rise in incidence, Pulau Pinang and W.P Labuan exhibited plateauing trends of incidence.
Overall transmissibility of COVID-19 in Malaysia had decreased by approximately 13% to a Rt of 1.2 in week 16. Only two states (W.P. Putrajaya and Terengganu) reported a Rt below the epidemic threshold of 1. Kelantan recorded the highest transmissibility (Rt-2.0) by the end of week 16, followed by W.P Kuala Lumpur (Rt-1.4).
All states have exhibited an gradual rise in mobility over the last 8 weeks. Intriguingly, on the 13th of April 2021, an approximate 8-14% drop in all forms of mobility had been observed in all states in week 15; coinciding with the start of the month of Ramadan. This trend of reduced movement continued in week 16. Nonetheless, workplace mobility had increased to its pre-Ramadan baseline.
With Hari Raya just around the corner, we should plan for our celebrations to be held in a pandemic-safe manner.
The report was written by Dr Diane Chong Woei Quan, DrPH Candidate, Prof Dr Victor Hoe Chee Wai and Prof Dr Sanjay Rampal from the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University Malaya. The report is based on the information obtained from the COVID-19 Epidemiology for Malaysia dashboard.
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