SIMPANG RENGGAM: A total of 70% Johor's adult population received a Covid-19 booster shot as of Sunday (Feb 27), says Khairy Jamaluddin.

       The Health Minister congratulated Johor for being the first state in the country to achieve the 70% booster shot target.

       "I previously said that 70% of the population must receive their booster shots before polling day (March 12) and on Sunday (Feb 27), we have achieved it," said Khairy at a press conference held after he visited a Covid-19 assessment centre in Simpang Renggam on Sunday.

       "This is the best protection for voters, particularly senior citizens and those with serious diseases," he added.

       On Feb 18, Khairy said the current percentage of the adult population in the country that has had the booster shot is "not even at 58%"

       He said 70% of the population must receive their booster shot by March 1 or risk losing their fully vaccinated status on MySejahtera.

       Meanwhile, Khairy said Malaysia is currently in a new pandemic phase and added that those who tested positive can recover at home as long as they have minimal symptoms.

       "We will monitor them through the virtual Covid-19 assessment centre (CAC)," added Khairy.

       Khairy said that as of Feb 23, 361,283 active cases were being monitored by the virtual CAC.

       "The virtual CAC will then detect if the patient's conditions have deteriorated through the health assessment tool," added Khairy.

       At the same time, Khairy said that he is currently on a working trip and added that he isn't campaigning for Barisan Nasional at all.

       Khairy added that no gifts or handouts were given to voters during his visit to Simpang Renggam.

       "That's fair. But, if I use this stage to give handouts and urge people to vote for Barisan, then that is wrong. A trip like this is professional," added Khairy.

       The Johor state election will see a 14-day campaigning period that began on Saturday (Feb 26) which will end before polling day on March 12.