Adib Noor
Most of the cases in Category 4 or 5 requiring serious treatment were due to medical issues other than COVID-19, said Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar at yesterday’s press conference.
“As standard procedure, all patients admitted to the hospital are screened and administered swab tests,” said the minister, adding that three patients in Category 5 who were admitted due to other serious medical conditions were found to also be infected with COVID-19. One of the patients had kidney problems, another was a stroke patient and the last one was involved in a traffic accident.
The patients require artificial ventilation as well as an additional heart/lung machine (ECMO) and treatment at the intensive care unit.
The minister said two of the eight patients in Category 4 are unvaccinated for COVID-19 while the remaining five who are fully vaccinated are being treated for other existing medical conditions, such as kidney issues and stroke.
One patient is reported to be experiencing medical issues due to infections in the blood stream, said the minister.
“No patients in Category 4 is experiencing breathing issues related to COVID-19,” he added.
The minister reminded the public that getting vaccination is meant to provide protection and not full immunity to COVID-19.
“Being fully vaccinated helps to reduce symptoms but it is important to still be cautious, especially for high risk individuals,” he said.
