KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry will be shifting its focus to non Covid-19 cases, especially those pending at hospitals.

       Its director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah noted the high vaccination rate in the country, coupled with the adherence to standard operating procedures had helped curb the spread of Covid-19 rate, as well as other diseases.

       "The movement control order had also contributed to the downward trend of dengue and hand foot and mouth disease (HFMD).

       "Since the reopening, there has been an increase but it is still under control compared to pre Covid-19 period because people are complying with health standards.

       "We had anticipated Covid-19 cases to be high after the April 1 reopening of borders, but this was not the case due to the high vaccination rates and those who obtained natural immunity," he said after officiating the Evolution of Nurses Uniforms exhibition at the National Museum, here in conjunction with the International Nurses Day Thursday (May 12).

       He added Covid-19 can be handled better in the transition phase.

       Dr Noor Hisham, however, does anticipate an increase in Covid-19 cases in the next two days, but 99.5% are likely to be mild symptoms or asymptomatic.

       "We have seen this trend in the past two months.

       "On the R-naught, there has been a slight increase from 0.52 to 1. But the cases are in categories 1 or 2 as we expected even after Hari Raya.

       "Hospital admission, usage of ventilators and patients at the Intensive Care Unit are still considered low, there is no sudden increase," he said, adding that cases in categories 3,4 and 5 were only at 0.5% only.

       On nurses, Dr Noor Hisham said that they were the heart of the Health Ministry, without which the healthcare system cannot operate to its fullest potential.