GEORGE TOWN: There will be higher risks of getting infected with Covid-19 if the public let down their guard and start to neglect the standard operating procedure, health experts warned.

       Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) virologist Dr Kumitaa Theva Das said although the country would begin transitioning to the endemic phase from April 1, the threat of getting infected is still high.

       “We are still not out of the woods yet. As restrictions relax, we will be encountering more people on a daily basis compared to the past two years, which means there will be a higher risk of getting infected.

       “So now, more than ever, it is important to fully adhere to the SOP such as wearing well-fitting masks, avoiding crowds when possible and even scanning the MySejahtera app,” she told The Star.

       Dr Kumitaa said the likelihood of a new mutation occurring within the country is quite low as the country has a high vaccination rate.

       “However, we are still at risk should a new variant from another country with a lower vaccination rate reach our shores,” she pointed out.

       On the Omicron sub-lineage BA.2 variant, Dr Kumitaa said that while it appears to be more transmissible than previous variants, there is no data yet to suggest that it is more severe.

       “Some early data observed in Denmark and the United Kingdom found that individuals were more susceptible to the BA.2 infection than to BA.1 infection,” Dr Kumitaa said.

       “Not much is currently known about how common reinfection is, but there are reports of people being reinfected with BA.2 within a month of being infected with BA.1 (variant), suggesting the additional mutations make it so much more highly infectious that it can overcome vaccine or previous infection immunity, or evade immunity.

       “Besides getting vaccinated, strict adherence to protocols is vital in preventing the virus from spreading.”

       USM virology scientist Dr Muhammad Amir Yunus said although the severity of illness was far less than what the country had experienced with Delta or previous variants, it could still spread easily and even infect those who have been vaccinated.

       “With the reopening of the country’s border, some of the SOP can be relaxed as long as masking is still mandated for crowded and closed spaces. The public should avoid crowded and closed settings, or try to limit the timing of presence in such surroundings.”

       Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun infectious diseases physician Dr Steven Lim said the term “endemic” often leads to many errant assumptions and misplaced complacency among the public.

       “An infectious disease can be endemic while continuing to be widespread and deadly, such as tuberculosis, dengue, malaria and HIV. Endemicity certainly does not give us an excuse to compromise on the existing SOPs and preventive measures,” Dr Lim said.

       “In fact, compliance with public health control measures is of paramount importance to ensure we transit into the endemic phase of Covid-19 safely.

       “If the SARS-CoV-2 virus is allowed to spread rampantly in the community, the country’s limited healthcare capacity, particularly in hospitals and intensive care units, would surely be overwhelmed by severe Covid-19.

       “As a community, the public need to stay vigilant in containing the virus and slow down the emergence of new variants.”