KUALA LUMPUR: Unvaccinated individuals, regardless of age, are most at risk of developing the more severe categories of Covid-19 (Categories 4 and 5), other than dying from the disease, says Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

       He said this was evident from the Health Ministry’s (MOH) data on Covid-19 patients in Categories 4 and 5, as well as deaths per 100,000 persons for the period Jan 26 to Feb 22.

       “This can be seen on the MOH charts and almost all age groups,” he said yesterday, which also contained charts showing that severe Covid-19 cases and deaths were more prevalent among unvaccinated individuals during that period.

       Dr Noor Hisham said, on the other hand, individuals who have received the booster dose enjoyed the highest level of protection from the disease.

       “It is clear that cases of serious Covid-19 infections (Categories 3, 4 and 5) and deaths were lower among booster dose recipients compared to the unvaccinated group, or those who have completed their vaccination but have yet to get the booster shot,” he added.

       On hospital bed use for Covid-19 patients in intensive care units, Dr Noor Hisham said the utilisation rate in four states had exceeded 50% of the capacity, with Kelantan at 78%, followed by Johor (69%), Kuala Lumpur (62%) and Melaka (54%).

       He said 27,179 new positive cases were recorded on Tuesday, with 99.37% or 27,007 cases in Categories 1 and 2, while 172 cases (or 0.63%) were in Categories 3-5.