Covid death rate on the rise but still lower than during Delta wave, says Khairy

While Malaysia’s Covid-19 case fatality rate (CFR) is on the rise, it is still lower than it was during the Delta wave, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said today.

In a Twitter post, he said this also proved that the vaccines were effective in protecting recipients from adverse effects of the virus such as death and ICU admission.

“Why is the CFR lower (than during the Delta wave)? Because the majority of the cases weren’t severe.

“Despite the spike in the number of cases, the (number of) severe ones showed just a slight increase. Latest, for every 100,000 cases, 200 deaths were recorded,” he said.

Another 115 deaths due to Covid-19 were recorded yesterday. Johor logged the highest number at 25 cases, followed by Sabah (24), Selangor (18), Kedah and Negeri Sembilan (eight each) and Perak (seven).

Six deaths were recorded in Pahang and Kuala Lumpur each, four in Kelantan, three in Penang, two each in Melaka and Perlis, and one each in Sarawak and Terengganu.

Khairy also posted a chart showing the number of deaths per 100,000 population from Feb 17 to March 2, which revealed that the number of deaths involving individuals aged 80 and above who were unvaccinated and had not received a booster dose was relatively higher than those who had.

“It is clear (from the chart) that booster doses can protect senior citizens from death due to Covid-19.

“That’s why our strategy now is to protect those in the high-risk group, such as the senior citizens,” he said.

Khairy also said that the number of brought-in-dead (BID) cases was likewise on the rise, and that of the 113 BID cases analysed from Feb 5 to 21, only 9% were known Covid-19 patients, while the remaining 91% tested positive after death.

“It is important for those at high risk like senior citizens and those with comorbidities to get a booster dose.

“Families and communities are also urged to monitor the health condition of the elderly. If they are showing symptoms of fever or coughing, take them to the doctor. Please,” he said.