The government's swift action to curb the COVID-19 outbreak has earned plaudits from a US public health expert.
Physician and Public Health expert from Yale University, Prof. Dr Rick Altice said the precautions that Malaysia had taken were timely and very fast.
“They (Malaysia) have done it. They act fast, they ban outsiders (from entering the country), they practise quarantine.
“If I had arrived two days later, I might not have been able to get there easily.
"So, I think that's very important. I think they did very well and so early. It is actually proof of the efficacy of early intervention that is not happening in many other places in the world,” he said.
Dr Altice shared his views during a webinar session organised by the US Embassy in Malaysia on Thursday.
Also present at the session was the University of Malaya's Dean of Medicine, Prof Datuk Dr. Adeeba Kamarulzaman.
In fact, said Dr Altice, it was clear that Malaysia may not have a large number of COVID-19 cases if it successfully prevents the establishment of a religious program that was the cause of the high prevalence of cases.
“As an example of a religious gathering, it has caused thousands of people to become infected and a large cluster has emerged.
“Malaysia may not have an epidemic situation if it did not happen. It may be just an import case and will not happen (current situation) if large crowds do not occur.
“I have to say that I feel Malaysia has done its job well and they are ready to 'celebrate' it. The United States is ready to be criticized while Malaysia is ready to celebrate,” he said.
Malaysia has become one of the world's leading countries in the wake of efforts to combat COVID-19.
It included recognition from international broadcaster CGTN to Health Director-General Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.The government's swift action to curb the COVID-19 outbreak has earned plaudits from a US public health expert.
Physician and Public Health expert from Yale University, Prof. Dr Rick Altice said the precautions that Malaysia had taken were timely and very fast.
“They (Malaysia) have done it. They act fast, they ban outsiders (from entering the country), they practise quarantine.
“If I had arrived two days later, I might not have been able to get there easily.
"So, I think that's very important. I think they did very well and so early. It is actually proof of the efficacy of early intervention that is not happening in many other places in the world,” he said.
Dr Altice shared his views during a webinar session organised by the US Embassy in Malaysia on Thursday.
Also present at the session was the University of Malaya's Dean of Medicine, Prof Datuk Dr. Adeeba Kamarulzaman.
In fact, said Dr Altice, it was clear that Malaysia may not have a large number of COVID-19 cases if it successfully prevents the establishment of a religious program that was the cause of the high prevalence of cases.
“As an example of a religious gathering, it has caused thousands of people to become infected and a large cluster has emerged.
“Malaysia may not have an epidemic situation if it did not happen. It may be just an import case and will not happen (current situation) if large crowds do not occur.
“I have to say that I feel Malaysia has done its job well and they are ready to 'celebrate' it. The United States is ready to be criticized while Malaysia is ready to celebrate,” he said.
Malaysia has become one of the world's leading countries in the wake of efforts to combat COVID-19.
It included recognition from international broadcaster CGTN to Health Director-General Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
Harits Asyraf Hasnan
Fri May 22 2020
![American healthcare expert praises Malaysia: 'Excellent swift action' American healthcare expert praises Malaysia: 'Excellent swift action'](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2020-05/41590133514_ProfDrRickAltic.jpg)
Altice said the precautions that Malaysia had taken were timely and very fast.
![Hari Kebangsaan: Kapasiti tempat duduk di Dataran Putrajaya ditambah - Fahmi Hari Kebangsaan: Kapasiti tempat duduk di Dataran Putrajaya ditambah - Fahmi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/51723720861_TBmerdeka.jpg)
Hari Kebangsaan: Kapasiti tempat duduk di Dataran Putrajaya ditambah - Fahmi
Kapasiti tempat duduk awam bertingkat di Dataran Putrajaya di sini akan ditambah.
Belasungkawa: Nidza Afham dikebumikan di Puncak Alam
Ikuti siaran perjalanan terakhir jenazah Allahyarham Nidza Afham di Masjid Puncak Alam dan akan dikebumikan di Tanah Perkuburan Islam Felda Bukit Cherakah, Puncak Alam, Selangor.
![Dua remaja maut ketika buat aksi 'wheelie' Dua remaja maut ketika buat aksi 'wheelie'](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/81723720409_TBmaut.jpg)
Dua remaja maut ketika buat aksi 'wheelie'
Dua remaja lelaki maut selepas motosikal yang ditunggang mereka bertembung ketika melakukan aksi 'wheelie' di Jalan Elmina Business Park, Aman Putri, Sungai Pelong di sini pada Rabu.
![PRK Nenggiri diteruskan selepas Azizi tarik balik rayuan PRK Nenggiri diteruskan selepas Azizi tarik balik rayuan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/81723451938_TBMohdAzizi.jpg)
PRK Nenggiri diteruskan selepas Azizi tarik balik rayuan
Mohd Azizi menarik balik rayuan dibuat terhadap keputusan Mahkamah Tinggi yang menolak permohonan injunksi sementara bagi menghentikan PRK Nenggiri.
![Jenazah Muhammad Nidza Afham selamat dikebumikan Jenazah Muhammad Nidza Afham selamat dikebumikan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/41723720349_Kebumi.jpg)
Jenazah Muhammad Nidza Afham selamat dikebumikan
Jenazah Allahyarham Muhammad Nidza Afham Mokhtar selamat dikebumikan di Tanah Perkuburan Bandar Puncak Alam jam 6.30 petang tadi.
![Proses libat urus Belanjawan 2025 berjalan lancar - Fahmi Proses libat urus Belanjawan 2025 berjalan lancar - Fahmi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/41723708198_TBFAhmi.jpg)
Proses libat urus Belanjawan 2025 berjalan lancar - Fahmi
Proses libat urus Kementerian Kewangan dengan pihak pemegang taruh bagi tujuan penyiapan dokumen Belanjawan 2025 berjalan lancar.
![Projek LCS: Mahkamah arah bekas Pengarah Urusan BNS dirujuk pakar psikiatri Projek LCS: Mahkamah arah bekas Pengarah Urusan BNS dirujuk pakar psikiatri](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/51723717543_tbAhmadRamli.jpg)
Projek LCS: Mahkamah arah bekas Pengarah Urusan BNS dirujuk pakar psikiatri
Mahkamah Sesyen mengarahkan bekas Pengarah Urusan BNS Tan Sri Ahmad Ramli Mohd Nor, dirujuk ke bahagian psikiatri di Hospital Kuala Lumpur.
![Amaran gempa bumi di Jepun selama seminggu berakhir selepas tiada perkembangan baharu Amaran gempa bumi di Jepun selama seminggu berakhir selepas tiada perkembangan baharu](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/71723718198_tokyo.jpg)
Amaran gempa bumi di Jepun selama seminggu berakhir selepas tiada perkembangan baharu
Nasihat gempa bumi Palung Nankai mendorong kerajaan pusat dan komuniti tempatan untuk memperhebatkan persiapan bencana sejak minggu lepas.
![Jenazah ibu Menteri Besar Kedah selamat dikebumikan Jenazah ibu Menteri Besar Kedah selamat dikebumikan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/51723717957_IbuMBKedahmenigg.jpg)
Jenazah ibu Menteri Besar Kedah selamat dikebumikan
Jenazah Allahyarham Meriam Ahmad, 74, ibu Menteri Besar Kedah, selamat dikebumikan di Tanah Perkuburan Islam Sungai Pau jam 5.45 petang Khamis.
![Pengarah SRC adalah profesional, bukan boneka yang diupah oleh Najib - Ismee Pengarah SRC adalah profesional, bukan boneka yang diupah oleh Najib - Ismee](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/81723717419_tbIsmeeIsmail.jpg)
Pengarah SRC adalah profesional, bukan boneka yang diupah oleh Najib - Ismee
Mahkamah Tinggi diberitahu bahawa Ahli Lembaga Pengarah SRC International adalah sekumpulan profesional dan bukannya 'boneka' Najib.