KUALA LUMPUR: THE World Health Organisation (WHO) recently issued a warning that the Delta variant which is more extreme as it is always mutating, can put the world in grave danger.
The Delta variant which was discovered at the end of 2020 in India, is causing great concern in the world as the variant is aggressive and very infectious, contributing to the sharp rise in the COVID-19 cases in many countries, among them, the United Kingdom (UK) with more than 82,000 Delta variant infections, followed by India, United States, Germany, Canada, Portugal and Spain.
The Delta variant is believed to be the source of the COVID-19 spike in Indonesia with 38,391 cases and 1,000 deaths on July 8 resulting in hospitals in Java to be filled to the brim with oxygen supply running low.
Health director-general, Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah in a Bernama TV programme, The Nation entitled "COVID-19: Apa Lagi Ikhtiar Kita" last Saturday (July 10) expressed concern that the Delta variant may have a role in the spike of COVID-19 cases in Malaysia.
Following the development, efforts to strengthen and enhance public health are being made to curb the spread of transmission from the aggressive variant.
As at June 30, genome sequencing found 40 COVID-19 infections in the country were of the Delta variant.
Looking at the situation, what can Malaysia do to combat the spread of the variant until the end of the year, after the country recorded more than 9,000 daily COVID-19 cases for three consecutive days namely, July 9 with 9.180 cases, July 10 with 9.353 cases and 9,105 cases on July 11.
According to Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Medical Faculty Infectious Disease Unit head, Dr Rosnida Mohd Noh, the COVID-19 outbreak from Delta variant can be controlled if the people were given two doses of COVID-19 vaccination soon.
In this regard, the government should double efforts to increase the two dose vaccination as it is seen as the best measure to strengthen immunity against the disease.
"To flatten the current infection curve, the most effective 'medicine' is vaccine. For safety one dose is not enough, we need to have two doses of vaccine.
"However, we also cannot assume that individuals with two doses of vaccine would not be infected. They can still be infected, only that in 88 per cent of the cases they have no symptoms and in 96 per cent they do not need hospitalisation," she told Bernama.
The move will reduce the load on hospitals which are now at critical level following near full capacity in intensive care units (ICU).
She explained that dispensing two doses of vaccine should be accelerated especially in densely populated areas to contain the spread of the virus apart from preventing the formation of new variants.
As at July 9, a total of 3,190,789 people or 10 per cent of the population have completed two-dose COVID-19 vaccination since the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK) was launched in February.
Programme Coordinating Minister Khairy Jamaluddin was quoted as saying that 30 per cent of the adult population have received their first dose while 13.6 per cent have completed both doses.
A study on Public Health England in April and May showed the effective rate of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine against the Delta variant was 88 per cent which is two weeks after the second dose was administered.
Meanwhile, two doses of AstraZeneca vaccine have an effective rate of 60 per cent against symptomatic disease caused by Delta Variant.
Dr Rosnida said the Delta variant was reported to be 60 per cent more infectious compared to the original COVID-19 virus and the situation is very dangerous as it can cause the national public health system of a country to paralyse if no comprehensive measures were taken.
''The Delta variant spreads too fast and the health system could be further stressed out. Apart from vaccine, other efforts should be doubled, including test and trace as an initial move to curb the outbreak.
''The people should also play their role by not having gatherings and in this situation Aidiladha visiting should be sacrificed for the safety of everybody," she said.
Apart from the Delta variant, the world is also now threatened with the finding of a new variant called Lambda which is said to be even more dangerous and could even be invincible to vaccine.
The Lambda variant, known as C.37, was first detected in Peru and had caused more than 80 per cent of infection cases in the country.
--BERNAMA
Bernama
Mon Jul 12 2021
![Expedite vaccine doses to curb spread of COVID-19 Delta variant - Expert Expedite vaccine doses to curb spread of COVID-19 Delta variant - Expert](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-06/71624504148_PusatPenerimaanVak.jpg)
According to Dr Rosnida, the Delta variant spreads too fast and the health system could be further stressed out. - File Photo/Astro AWANI/Shahir Omar
![Kim Pan-gon akan ke Ulsan Hyundai? Kim Pan-gon akan ke Ulsan Hyundai?](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721117483_KimPangon.jpg)
Kim Pan-gon akan ke Ulsan Hyundai?
Bekas pengendali skuad negara itu dilaporkan sedang menjadi calon utama untuk mengisi jawatan pengurus kelab gergasi Korea Selatan, Ulsan Hyundai.
![Lebih 2,300 hektar kawasan lapang di ibu negara diperuntukkan kawasan hijau Lebih 2,300 hektar kawasan lapang di ibu negara diperuntukkan kawasan hijau](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2016-12/41482504881_TamanTasikTitiwang.jpg)
Lebih 2,300 hektar kawasan lapang di ibu negara diperuntukkan kawasan hijau
Daripada keluasan itu, sebanyak 977.55 hektar tanah telah diwartakan, manakala 1,416.24 hektar tanah lapang yang berpotensi akan dan sedang dalam proses diwartakan.
Guna jawatan untuk projek pembekalan, suami isteri ditahan
Sepasang suami isteri direman enam hari dalam siasatan penyalahgunaan jawatan untuk mendapatkan projek pembekalan bernilai lebih RM200,000.
Perintah reman dikeluarkan Majistret Noor Mazrinie Mahmood bermula hari ini hingga Ahad.
Perintah reman dikeluarkan Majistret Noor Mazrinie Mahmood bermula hari ini hingga Ahad.
DBKL ubah lalu lintas Jalan Sultan Ismail bermula 22 Julai
Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) akan melaksanakan perubahan lalu lintas di Jalan Sultan Ismail berkuat kuasa 22 Julai ini.
![ADUN Rembia sertai Pas, kenapa tak umum tahun lepas? - MP Kampar ADUN Rembia sertai Pas, kenapa tak umum tahun lepas? - MP Kampar](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61721116604_ChongZheminDewan.jpg)
ADUN Rembia sertai Pas, kenapa tak umum tahun lepas? - MP Kampar
Tindakan tersebut seolah-olah satu penghinaan paling besar kepada Parlimen yang telah meluluskan pindaan Perlembagaan Persekutuan berkait Akta Antilompat Parti.
[TERKINI] Perbelanjaan pengguna Malaysia dijangka kembali teguh
Perbelanjaan pengguna Malaysia dijangka teguh sepanjang tahun ini, demikian menurut BMI, iaitu syarikat Fitch Solitions.
![Kes bunuh Nur Farah Kartini: Suspek berkhidmat 5 tahun dalam PDRM Kes bunuh Nur Farah Kartini: Suspek berkhidmat 5 tahun dalam PDRM](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81721102947_suspekbunuhNurFar.jpg)
Kes bunuh Nur Farah Kartini: Suspek berkhidmat 5 tahun dalam PDRM
Anggota berusia 26 tahun terbabit bertugas di Balai Polis Slim River di bawah Ibu Pejabat Polis Daerah (IPD) Muallim dengan pangkat lans koperal.
![Perunding pelaburan didakwa terlibat pengubahan wang haram hampir RM1 juta Perunding pelaburan didakwa terlibat pengubahan wang haram hampir RM1 juta](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721117052_SaifulNizamSaharud.jpg)
Perunding pelaburan didakwa terlibat pengubahan wang haram hampir RM1 juta
Seorang perunding pelaburan mengaku tidak bersalah atas empat pertuduhan pengubahan wang haram berjumlah hampir RM1 juta.
Purata suhu meningkat 0.24 darjah celcius per dekad
Berdasarkan rekod dari tahun 1969 hingga 2019, purata suhu bulanan di Semenanjung Malaysia pada bulan Mei 2024 adalah 28.8 darjah celcius manakala purata suhu bulanan pada bulan Mei 1974 iaitu 50 tahun yang lalu adalah 26.6 darjah celcius.
ADUN dari kerajaan perpaduan sertai Pas
Menurut Takiyuddin, keahlian Muhamad Jailani yang juga wakil rakyat UMNO diterima pada 10 Jun tahun lalu, namun diumumkan secara rasmi hari ini.
![Laporan Ketua Audit Negara ada kelemahan, penemuan tak tepat - Khairy Laporan Ketua Audit Negara ada kelemahan, penemuan tak tepat - Khairy](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/41718955416_KhairyJamaluddin.jpg)
Laporan Ketua Audit Negara ada kelemahan, penemuan tak tepat - Khairy
Khairy berkata terdapat juga laporan LKAN yang ditulis berjela-jela sehingga memberi persepsi seolah-olah sesuatu sumber itu dibazirkan.
![IMD: Pertama kali di kedudukan lebih rendah berbanding Thailand, Indonesia IMD: Pertama kali di kedudukan lebih rendah berbanding Thailand, Indonesia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/41718955416_KhairyJamaluddin.jpg)
IMD: Pertama kali di kedudukan lebih rendah berbanding Thailand, Indonesia
Khairy Jamaluddin berkata, pengumuman mengenai ranking itu merupakan satu berita kurang baik untuk negara dan kerajaan.
![KJ minta Fahmi kekal di landasan sebagai jurucakap Kerajaan Perpaduan KJ minta Fahmi kekal di landasan sebagai jurucakap Kerajaan Perpaduan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/61718930137_kjfahmi.jpg)
KJ minta Fahmi kekal di landasan sebagai jurucakap Kerajaan Perpaduan
Khairy Jamaluddin berkata, tindakan Fahmi menyebabkan pengumuman tersebut tidak mendapat respons baik, sebaliknya menjadi bahan ejekan.
![KJ dilantik salah seorang pengarah di Fischer Medical Ventures Ltd KJ dilantik salah seorang pengarah di Fischer Medical Ventures Ltd](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-12/81702724238_TBKJPUTRAJAYA.jpg)
KJ dilantik salah seorang pengarah di Fischer Medical Ventures Ltd
Khairy dilantik atas kapasiti Pengarah Bebas Syarikat untuk tempoh lima tahun bermula 4 Mei 2024.
![Bukan rombak satu FAM Bukan rombak satu FAM](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/81714438869_tbKongresTahunan.jpg)
Bukan rombak satu FAM
Ridzuan menegaskan rombakan tersebut tidak perlu dilakukan untuk semua jawatan dalam badan induk bola sepak negara itu.
![KJ tak terfikir untuk kembali ke FAM KJ tak terfikir untuk kembali ke FAM](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/71714136231_KhairyJamaluddin.jpg)
KJ tak terfikir untuk kembali ke FAM
Khairy berkata terdapat calon-calon lain yang lebih layak untuk menerajui badan induk itu berbanding beliau.
![KJ puas hati Lokman Adam minta maaf, setuju bayar pampasan KJ puas hati Lokman Adam minta maaf, setuju bayar pampasan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/81713154859_kjlokmanadam.jpg)
KJ puas hati Lokman Adam minta maaf, setuju bayar pampasan
Dakwa plaintif, kenyataan fitnah dalam saman itu membawa maksud antaranya beliau menipu orang ramai dengan mendakwa telah diberi vaksin COVID-19.
![Keluar Sekejap ambil alih podsiar Jugador TV, rancang terus perluas empayar Keluar Sekejap ambil alih podsiar Jugador TV, rancang terus perluas empayar](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/51712571795_TBKELUARSKJAP.jpg)
Keluar Sekejap ambil alih podsiar Jugador TV, rancang terus perluas empayar
Keluar Sekejap mengumumkan pengambilalihan podsiar luar pertama, iaitu Jugador TV.
![KJ akhirnya dapat isi PADU selepas identiti dicuri KJ akhirnya dapat isi PADU selepas identiti dicuri](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/71711700190_TBpadukjjpg.jpg)
KJ akhirnya dapat isi PADU selepas identiti dicuri
Khairy Jamaluddin akhirnya berjaya mendaftar dalam sistem PADU selepas mendakwa akaunnya telah didaftarkan oleh individu yang tidak dikenali.
![Kes saman KJ terhadap Jamal Yunos diteruskan Kes saman KJ terhadap Jamal Yunos diteruskan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/71710823527_TBSAMANKJJAMAL.jpg)
Kes saman KJ terhadap Jamal Yunos diteruskan
Kes saman fitnah bekas Khairy Jamaluddin terhadap Datuk Seri Jamal Md Yunos, berhubung satu kenyataan media ketika PAU 2022 akan diteruskan di Mahkamah Tinggi pada Selasa.