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We’re not the worst, Selangor govt fends off label in virus battle

Selangor Task Force for Covid-19 chairman Dzulkefly Ahmad points to the state's infectivity rate which he says is not the worst in the country.

Farhira Farudin
2 minute read
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Petugas kesihatan melaksanakan ujian swab di klinik kesihatan di Shah Alam, Selangor. Gambar: Bernama
Petugas kesihatan melaksanakan ujian swab di klinik kesihatan di Shah Alam, Selangor. Gambar: Bernama

The Selangor Task Force for Covid-19 today fended off claims that the state is the worst off in terms of the virus battle, saying its daily caseload is no proof that it is the most badly affected by the pandemic.

Its chairman Dzulkefly Ahmad said based on infectivity rate, Selangor does not lead the list of states worst affected by Covid-19.

“If we look at the infectiousness rate, can it be said that Selangor is the worst affected? No, and this is all based on facts from the health ministry,” he said at a press conference.

He also said that Selangor is not the worst affected if data is measured according to the number of Covid-19 deaths.

He said data from the health ministry shows that Selangor is in fourth place, compared to Sabah, Kuala Lumpur and Sarawak.

Selangor has of late been reporting daily cases of over 1,000, with 1,743 infections recorded yesterday from the nationwide total of 4,865.

This was far ahead of any other state including Sarawak which reported the second highest number of cases with 512.

Selangor also recorded 18 of the record 47 deaths reported yesterday.

Speaking today, Dzulkefly said Selangor is also against any plan to tighten the movement control order (MCO) currently in place.

He said implementing a full-scale MCO would cause the state to be more affected by Covid-19 as experience showed that infections increase again once lockdowns are eased. He added that the local economy would be affected as well.

“If given a choice, we do not want a lockdown,” he said. “But if we are ordered to under the state of emergency, we will comply.

“If the health minister wants a lockdown based only on numbers, I urge that the decision be considered as best as possible,” he added.

Health Minister Dr Adham Baba previously said his ministry was considering tightening health SOPs in Selangor or enforcing a full-scale MCO in the state if Covid-19 cases remain high.

Meanwhile, State Public Health, Unity, Women and Family Development Committee chairman Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud said small businesses would be the worst affected if a full-scale MCO is enforced in the state.

She said the right strategies need to be taken to allow those in Selangor to continue earning a living.

“People in Selangor have approached me, begging us not to implement another lockdown,” she said. “Another lockdown would greatly affect their livelihoods.”

She also said there was no point in enforcing a lockdown only for daily cases to increase later on.

“That’s not the way.”