PETALING JAYA: With Covid-19 cases still above the 20,000-mark, frontliners are pleading with all Malaysians, even those who have been fully vaccinated, to strictly follow the standard operating procedure to reduce transmission of the virus.
Health authorities have warned that those who are immunised can still be infected and pass on the virus, especially to those who have yet to be vaccinated.
As such, Malaysians must continue to adhere to the SOP that calls for the wearing of masks, the practice of physical distancing and the avoidance of social gatherings.
A doctor at one of the Covid-19 treatment hospitals in the Klang Valley said with the current Covid-19 wave, hospitals could still face a shortage of medical supplies.
“We are getting younger patients who are very ill. Being vaccinated is not a free pass to flout the SOP,” said the doctor, who wished to remain anonymous.
“If you look at the daily figures, you can see a small number of vaccinated people in categories 3, 4 or 5.
“Who is to say that these warded patients didn’t get infected by their family members or friends who had already been fully vaccinated?” he said.
Patients in Category 5 are considered critical cases requiring ventilator support. Category 4 cases require oxygen while Category 3 patients experience lung inflammation.
On Thursday, new infections hit a record high with 24,599 and 393 deaths, including 100 brought-in-dead cases, bringing the cumulative number of cases to 1,640,843.
A total of 80.33% of the new cases involved not fully vaccinated individuals.
The doctor added that frontliners were stressed and exhausted.
“The situation remains critical because we are unable to give patients optimal care. When a bed in the ICU opens up, it means that the patient has died.
“People should be extremely careful, more so with the highly infectious Delta variant,” he said.
A nurse at a Covid-19 treatment hospital in the Klang Valley urged the people to get vaccinated as soon as possible and to strictly follow the SOP as it takes a minimum of 14 days after the second dose to get optimal protection.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, she said if those who are fully vaccinated get infected with the Delta variant, they are likely to be asymptomatic or just mildly symptomatic.
They could, however, still pass on the virus, causing a full-blown effect especially on those yet to be vaccinated and who have underlying health issues.
“Don’t do whatever you want after getting your jab. Even after you are fully vaccinated, you can still infect others.
“You might be protected but think about others, especially the elderly and frail, disabled, pregnant women and children,” she said.
The nurse added that it was heartbreaking to hear of unvaccinated patients who had gotten infected and died after being visited at home by vaccinated relatives, who were carriers of the virus.
Another doctor at a Covid-19 treatment hospital said while vaccination is one way to slow down the spread of the virus, it would take months to see “real changes”.
“Patients are dying every day and we have been working without a break for a year and a half.
“Please help us by sticking to the SOP. Don’t go out unnecessarily,” said the doctor who also requested anonymity.