PUTRAJAYA: The elderly and those with chronic diseases are the groups most vulnerable to Covid-19.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah says this is based on information from the Covid-19 mortality review, in which the ministry established that 32 out of 99 reported Covid-19 deaths in the country are of those aged between 61 and 70, while 19 deaths involved those aged between 71 and 80.
"Although we have yet to fully understand this virus, what is clear is that the risk of infection increases with age, and among individuals who have chronic diseases or non-communicable diseases (NCD) such as diabetes, hypertension, heart or kidney diseases, or cancer.
"(Those with) NCD risk factors such as smoking and obesity are at a greater risk of developing severe Covid-19 symptoms and higher risk of death," he told a press conference today.
He said the complications for those with NCD, and those who smoke or are obese are worse, and reminded those with such problems to seek immediate treatment if they show any symptoms.
The Health Ministry, he added, would conduct Covid-19 screening on workers and residents at care centres for the elderly, which would be done in phases, beginning with 17 Rumah Sri Kenangan and Rumah Ehsan under the Social Welfare Department.
Dr Noor Hisham said the ministry would then conduct screening at 357 care centres registered under Act 506 (Care Centres Act 1993) and 26 nursing homes registered under Act 586 (Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998).
"The ministry notes that more than 1,000 care centres for the elderly have not been registered under any act.
"District health offices have been directed to identify private care centres, including religious pondok, to ensure comprehensive Covid-19 screening," he said, urging operators of private care centres to contact their nearest district health offices.