PETALING JAYA: As the country transitions into the endemic phase, the Health Ministry will improve case management services to curb infections.

       Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said several initiatives had already been implemented, with more to follow.“Currently, we are improving the level of Covid-19 Clinical Assessment Centres (CAC). The upgrades will encompass several new functions, which will be implemented in stages,” he said.

       Dr Noor Hisham said case management at primary healthcare facilities would be improved as infection control was important in preventing cross infection.

       “Case management by CAC, operated by private sector medical practitioners (CAC GP), will also be improved.

       “Up to Oct 9, a total of 19,732 cases have been identified by CAC GPs.

       “At present, there are 1,149 CAC GPs with 81 actively providing case management services for those undergoing home isolation,” he said in a statement.

       The Health Ministry has also approved privately operated CAC.

       “These CAC are an alternative to Category One and Two patients. A guideline has been prepared as a reference for parties interested in offering such services,” he said.

       Dr Noor Hisham said the virtual CAC would also be expanded and that a robocall service would aid those who have reported symptoms.

       “Individuals with reported symptoms, especially warning signs such as fever, difficulty in breathing, extended lethargy and chest pain, will receive automated SMS and robocall recordings to urge them to go to the nearest healthcare facility for further assessment.

       “Those who have reported two or more warning signs will receive a call from the Virtual CAC Outbound Team to confirm their condition and to provide ambulance service if necessary,” he said.

       Yesterday, there were 12,456 recoveries compared to 8,084 new infections.

       Of the new cases, 1.6% (133 cases) were under Categories Three, Four and Five while the remaining were mostly asymptomatic.

       There were 17 new clusters detected in Johor, Negri Sembilan, Pahang, Penang, Selangor, Melaka, Perak and Kelantan.

       Nine of them were workplace clusters.

       Putrajaya and Negri Sembilan saw an infectivity rate of 1.07 and 1.03, respectively, higher than the national value of 0.88.