ALOR SETAR: The number of Covid-19 infections in Kedah has shown no improvement since epidemiological week 25 (Epid Week 25), says Datuk Dr Mohd Hayati Othman.
The state Health Committee chairman Othman said that from Aug 15 to 21 (Epid Week 33), Kedah recorded a total of 12,852 Covid-19 cases compared to the week earlier, which stood at 12,048 cases.
He said this translated to a 7% increase in the number of infections.
"In general, all districts in Kedah showed an increased trend of Covid-19 cases except Yan and Kuala Muda," he said in a statement Monday (Aug 23).
Dr Mohd Hayati said Pendang recorded the biggest increase at 28%, followed by Baling (25%) and Langkawi (21%).
He said during Epid Week 33, a total of 7,206 cases, or 56% of the new cases were detected through close contact screenings; 2,622 cases (20%) from asymptomatic screening; 1,179 cases (9%) from self screening; 7% from cluster screening; and 5% from workplace screening.
He said during the same week, nine new Covid-19 clusters were reported in the state. Of the total, four clusters were from the community followed by two from the industrial sector, two in detention centres and one from a construction site.
"Based on this, the trend of Covid-19 infections in Kedah has not decreased because it has been present in the community.
"Therefore, the community is urged to practise the new norms and to get immunised to prevent infection," he said.
Dr Hayati said as of Aug 21, 59.3% from 1,504,600 of the adult population aged 18 and above in the state had received their first dose of vaccine while 36.3% are fully vaccinated.
He said by the end of August, Kedah expects 40% of its people to get fully vaccinated.
He, however, added that about 18% of eligible individuals in Kedah have not registered as vaccine recipients.
He said the state government urged all Kedahans aged 18 and above to register as soon as possible under the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme.