IPOH: Efforts to contain Covid-19 in the country is no longer possible, former Deputy Health Minister Dr Lee Boon Chye said.
"The number or cases and contacts are enormous and it is unlikely the Health Ministry is able to track and isolate all. Hence containment is no longer possible.
"We should focus on mitigation such as reducing the number of cases and optimising healthcare resources," he said on his Facebook page.
Dr Lee added that the ministry needed to train more staff to deal with Covid-19 and ensure personal protective equipment to prevent infection is sufficient.
"Focus on treating severe cases in hospitals. Mild cases and patients without symptoms should be kept at special areas with less intensive care.
"Patient-under-investigation (PUI) should be put in special isolation facilities such as hotels or hostels until Covid-19 is excluded," he said.
Dr Lee also urged for all gatherings especially indoor functions to cease, while schools, colleges, universities and kindergartens should be closed for a month.
"All public transport and transport terminals and government offices should be disinfected regularly. Work from home as far as possible. Make sure offices maintain good ventilation and keep air conditioners at high ambient temperatures.
"Ensure sufficient supply of masks and food items with limits on purchase. Discourage overseas travel," he said.
Dr Lee added that the purpose of the control is to delay or prevent severe outbreaks until the summer time in the Northern atmosphere.
"Hopefully by then the infection will reduce tremendously or when effective treatment is discovered," he said adding that vaccine is still at least one-year away.
Malaysia confirmed 190 new Covid-19 coronavirus cases on Sunday, raising the tally of infections in the country to 428.
It is the highest single-day increase in cases on record since the outbreak began on Jan 25. The new Covid-19 tally makes Malaysia the worst-affected country by the virus in Southeast Asia presently.