KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry projects two-digit Covid-19 cases by May, if the number of the coronavirus can be stabilised, coupled with the implementation Movement Control Order (MCO).
Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said he expected the number of cases to drop after Jan 27, should there be no spike in infections.
"Today we see 3,048 new cases which is a slight drop from yesterday. We're hoping that the number stabilises.
"We expect to see a drop in cases after Jan 27. If we enforce the MCO for four weeks, followed by the Conditional MCO for about three months after, we might see two-digit cases by May.
"This is our target," he said during a virtual press briefing on Covid-19 today.
Dr Noor Hisham noted that the R-naught (R0) or infectivity rate has improved from 1.2 to 1.06, adding that he expected the R0 to drop further.
He reminded the public to continue adhering to standard operating procedures, including maintaining physical distancing, putting on face masks and frequent hand washing.
He also said the first batch of vaccines, slated to arrive late next month, would be able to vaccinate 500,000 frontliners starting March.
The vaccine would be administered in two doses.
"There is 21-day gap before giving the second dose."