PETALING JAYA: Most of Malaysia's Covid-19 infections, especially serious cases that require intensive care unit (ICU) treatment, are now coming from the unvaccinated.

       The Star's analysis of Health Ministry's figures show that eight of out of 10 people who were infected over the past two weeks have not gotten a vaccine jab.

       In the 14-day period from July 26 to Aug 8 a total of 249,102 Covid-19 cases were reported, of which 204,087 (81.9%) were classified as patients with no vaccination history.

       The remaining 45,015 (18.1%) were classified as patients with a history of vaccination, though no breakdown was available on how many among them had gotten one dose and how many had received both jabs.

       There was also no information on how many among the unvaccinated who got infected had already registered for vaccination, or how many of them were not not yet eligible for vaccination, such as those below the age of 18.

       Currently, under-18s are allowed to register for their jabs, although the vaccination rollout for this group is still being reviewed for its benefits and risks.

       At the moment, only children with chronic health conditions will be prioritised for vaccination.

       With Malaysia now fighting its fiercest Covid-19 outbreak since the pandemic began, the figures point to the importance of further ramping up vaccinations.

       The data also shows that vaccines give effective protection from severe disease in the event of a breakthrough infection, which is when someone gets Covid-19 after being fully vaccinated.

       Of the 2,881 Covid-19 patients listed as Categories 4 and 5 in the past two weeks, 2,584 or 89.7% were those with no vaccination history.

       Category 4 and 5 are cases that need treatment in ICU.

       Patients in Category 3 are those who require hospital treatment and observation.

       Category 1 refers to cases with no symptoms, while Category 2 are cases where patients show mild symptoms.

       The ministry has been issuing daily updates on the number of vaccinated and unvaccinated in new Covid-19 cases since July 26.

       According to the ministry's daily updates, the classification of Covid-19 patients by their category of illness was made based on their clinical situation when they were first diagnosed with Covid-19.

       As at Aug 8, 15,772,101 people or 67.4% of the country's population aged 18 and above have received their first dose.

       Of the 15.7 million, 8,770,336 (37.5%) have gotten both doses.