Hanoi (VNA) – Malaysian Health MinisterMinister Dr Zaliha Mustafa on December 8 warned that there is an increase incases of COVID-19 reported globally, including in Malaysia, in line with thetrend that occurs at the end of each year.

However, most of the cases in Malaysiaexperience mild symptoms and do not require hospital treatment, she said.

The variant which is still contagious in Malaysia is Omicron, with a subvariant which is known to have a highinfectivity rate but does not cause severe cases.

The ministry is always ready to face anypossibility which may happen, she stressed.

Hence, she advised the public to practice self-caremeasures, including maintaining a high level of personal hygiene and wearing aface mask for those with symptoms, saying they can also get a primary dose of vaccine at health clinics to reduce the risk of infection.

The public is urged not to spread false news, toavoid confusion or cause public anxiety, she continued.

The ministry reported that 3,626 cases of COVID-19were reported in the 47th Epidemiological Week, from November 19 to 25, anincrease of 57.3% compared with the 2,305 cases recorded in the previous week.

Also in Thailand, Dr Manoon Leechawengwongs, expertin respiratory diseases at Vichaiyut Hospital in Bangkok, said 545 COVID-19cases were reported in November alone, citing data on respiratory disease casesat the hospital.

The data for November also shows 304 cases ofinfluenza, 33 of human metapneumovirus (hMPV), 17 of RespiratorySyncytial Virus (RSV), 46 of dengue fever, four of chikungunya, and13 of norovirus.

He said that COVID-19 infections are steadily risingand have already outpaced influenza.

Manoon said that he is monitoring the COVID-19situation in December closely, which will give a clearer picture about whetherinfections will continue to rise./.