KEPALA BATAS: Malaysians have been told to remain calm despite the nation recording a whopping 8,686 Covid-19 cases yesterday.

Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali said the government was doing whatever necessary to flatten the curve and reduce the number of cases.

He assured that whatever the government was doing was based on the whole government, whole society approach as a team, and not in silo.

"When there is a massive increase in Covid-19 cases, who will be happy? Everyone will be sad. Everyone will be afraid. 

"We have implemented the Movement Control Order (MCO), the proclamation of emergency and various measures, which resulted in our economy not being able to move, yet the cases are still high. Whose fault is this?

"We need to understand that this situation is dynamic. When we enforced the MCO or the Enhanced MCO (EMCO), mass testing will be conducted, just like Selangor and Kuala Lumpur. It is only logical that more testing will lead to more positive cases.

"My advice is for all to remain calm and patient. We are doing what we should do and what is right to do. The Heath Ministry's action is based on data, science and best practices. We are also in discussion with experts, including at the international level, on the best treatment, medicine and testing. We also seek the World Health Organisation (WHO)'s advice and advise the government accordingly," he said.

He was met after a visit to the vaccination centre (PPV) at the Millennium Hall today.

He was asked to comment on Netizens who vented their anger and frustration over the massive spike in cases yesterday despite sitting at home for a long time following the movement restrictions.

"Rest assured, we hear what the people are telling us. And I am sure if everyone continues to abide by the standard operating procedures (SOP) and the directive during the movement restrictions, we can overcome this.

"The government is working fast to empower our hospitals, Covid-19 hospitals and hybrid hospitals. We will also mobilise our manpower, including experts, medical officers and paramedics, to help out and increase volunteers. And we will also improve on our equipment.

"With all these in place, the government is doing all it can to ensure the people's safety," said Dr Noor Azmi.

To date, more than 10.4 million Malaysians have been vaccinated with 3.1 million people having been fully vaccinated.

The government is aiming to have 10 per cent of Malaysians fully vaccinated by middle of this month.

Dr Noor Azmi said the government was working towards administering 400,000 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine daily to expedite achieving herd immunity.

Malaysia has administered more than 300,000 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine daily in the past four days.

On the issue of contract doctors, Dr Noor Azmi said the ministry had completed a report on the matter and awaiting to present it at the Cabinet meeting.

Contract doctors have planned a strike on July 26 to protest against the lack of permanent positions in the service.

It was reported that the Hartal Doktor Kontrak movement had issued a three-week ultimatum to the government to offer permanent positions to all contract doctors and publish a clear selection criteria.

Earlier, during his visit to the PPV, Dr Noor Azmi also helped administer the first dose of Sinovac vaccine on senior citizen Ishak Rashid, 73, from Penaga.

A delighted Ishak later told newsmen he was thrilled and shocked to be vaccinated by the deputy minister.