REMBAU: Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, said that the Health Ministry (MOH) will introduce a heightened alert system to detect early signs of an increase in Covid-19 cases in the country.

       He said through the system, the MOH proposed that measures in some sectors would be tightened if there was an increase in cases, but it would not be a “total lockdown”.

       “I will announce the matter, including details of the situation on how this system will be applied... maybe in a week or two.

       “If we can, we want to avoid a lockdown, because lockdowns not only disrupt the economy, but has other effects – family well-being and mental health. I think the people may not be able to go through another lockdown,” he said after presenting assets to the Rembau District Health office yesterday.

       Khairy, reported Bernama, said that so far the MOH’s health system was still under control but he reminded the public not to be too complacent as states transition to Phase Four of the National Recovery Plan (NRP).

       “We are very worried because we have seen the early signs (of high infection cases). However, it has not reached the level of paralysing the health system,” he said.

       He said his concern was the increase in serious cases up to hospitalisation, especially critical cases in Categories 4 and 5.

       Citing Negri Sembilan as an example, he said the number of hospital admissions doubled in a month; on Oct 25, only 35 patients needed oxygen assistance statewide, but yesterday the figure stood at 70.

       “If this trend continues, we will have to provide beds for critical treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) and oxygen supply to treat patients,” he said.

       On the booster dose, Khairy once again called on the public who have received an appointment for the booster dose to get the injection, and not choose the type of vaccine given by the MOH.

       Khairy said that the ministry would conduct an investigation if there were any serious side effect cases among the recipients.