Learn to live with the virus, says Dr. Sim Kui Hian

suppadmin | September 3, 2021

Local government and Health Minister, Dato Sri Dr. Sim Kui Hian again urged Sarawakians to learn to live with covid 19 as it will become an endemic as what Health Khairy Jamaluddin had said.

Dr. Sim said Sarawakians need to change our behaviour and live with it as Endemic is a disease that is constantly present in a population and not going to disappear anytime soon. He cited examples of dengue and Influenza (flu) are endemic in Malaysia.

“WHO estimates 290,000 to 650,000 people die of flu every year. But instead of panic and chaos, the world adapts its behaviour to live safe. With high vaccination it helps to reduce the risk of serious illness and death if anyone is infected by the virus. So if you are eligible and have not been vaccinated, please do so fast, he said.

For the 29 percent of Sarawakians who are below 18, Dr Sim said they wanted to vaccinate 16-17 years and then moved to 12-15 years old as Pfizer was approved by NPRA for both age groups. Eventually, he added, Malaysia will move to 3-11 years old as soon as NPRA needs to give approval soon to save lives.

Dr. Sim said despite all these, everyone has to remain alert so we can slow the transmission thus not overwhelm our healthcare facilities, and avoid overstretching our medical frontliners.