The journey to recovery in a Covid-19 world isn’t easy. While Singapore is still trying to contain the outbreak of the virus within worker dormitories, there’s slightly unpleasant news from our northern neighbour.
It looks like Covid-19 has levelled up in Malaysia, with a new strain of the virus – i.e. D614G-type – recently detected, according to Malaysia English daily The Star.
This mutated strain of the virus is said to be 10 times more infectious. Health authorities are urging the community to be extra cautious.
The Star reports that the Malaysian Institute for Medical Research had detected the D614G-type mutation from 4 cases.
All patients were isolated and sent for culture tests after testing positive.
The country’s health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the mutation is 10 times more infectious and easier to spread, especially if it involves people who are ‘super spreaders’.
In Dr Noor Hisham’s Facebook post on Sunday (16 Aug), he said the detection of this new strain could result in ongoing vaccine studies to be ineffective or incomplete against this mutation.
He stressed that health authorities will continue to prioritise existing preventive measures of public health.
Citizens are urged to abide by these measures such as safe distancing and practising good personal hygiene, such as:
So far, Dr Noor Hishan said the Covid-19 situation is still under control, as Malaysia’s Health Ministry remains hard at work to contain the spread.
We will need everyone’s cooperation on this so that we can break the chain of Covid-19 infection from all types of mutations.
We’ve broken down some things you need to know in understanding the D614G mutation, according to this Medium article.
It’s been around 8 months since the world was plunged into a seemingly unending battle against Covid-19. Scientists are still trying to figure out the virus’ mutations.
As Medium suggests that the virus should have similar reactions to vaccines despite the mutation, time will only tell whether current vaccine studies will be effective in the long run.
In the meantime, we should also work on levelling up our hygiene and above all, sense of social responsibility. Wear a mask, safe distance, and follow the rules — it’s not that hard.
This is also why you should safe distance:
Featured image adapted from the New York Times.
The boy is an only child to the single mum.
Authorities had to use equipment to pry the vehicle open to free the man.
The authorities have investigated and closed the incident with no follow-ups required, MFA said.
He crossed the border daily in hopes of buying a house for his family.
On a few days, the thundery showers might extend into the night.
His church has urged parishioners to refrain from visiting him as he heals.