PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry is looking into reviewing the present strategy put in place to contain the Covid-19 pandemic following the rise in the number of cases in the country.
Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the number of new Covid-19 cases was expected to increase within a week or two after the new year.
"We need to review the strategies that we implemented since Oct 14. Our decision in allowing inter-district travel on Dec 7 resulted in the rise in cases.
"Although we have urged everyone to abide by the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), cases are still high and we expect it to increase in a week or two.
"Now we are looking into taking the next step (in preventing more cases) or (carry out a) review (to formulate) new strategies.
"We will discuss with the National Security Council before implementing the new strategies," he told reporters today.
Dr Noor Hisham said the government should make the decision as soon as possible and "the wisdom to make the decision was not by looking only into the data".
He said with the advice from the ministry, he hoped the government would make the right decision to ensure the spread of Covid-19 was brought under control, without having to disrupt the lives and livelihoods of the people.
"We need to strategise and look into the details of the targeted states and zones. It is difficult for us to strike a balance between health and the economy.
"The question here is can we bring down the cases to the expected level in a shorter time?
"So, I think this is something that we are looking into and discussion into balancing health and economy is ongoing. This is a big consideration and decision by the government. One size does not fit all," he said.