BY James Kon

The country recorded 702 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, 693 as a result of antigen rapid tests (ART) and nine from RT-PCR laboratory tests, said Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar on Monday during the weekly press conference on the COVID-19 situation in the country.

The minister said the average number of COVID-19 cases per day over the past week has slightly increased to 649 per day, compared to 611 cases from the week before.

A total of 54,880 ART results were uploaded to the BruHealth app within a period of one week, of which 8.2 per cent tested positive.

Meanwhile, the minister said one COVID-19 case has passed away, but the death was not due to the virus. He also offered condolences to the family.

The minister said three COVID-19 cases are in Category 5 requiring treatment in the intensive care unit and two cases are in Category 4 requiring respiratory assistance and close monitoring.

The minister said that as of Sunday, the rate of COVID-19 vaccinations among the population remained at a high level, with 78.8 per cent having received the third dose of the vaccine and 11.1 per cent with a fourth dose.

Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham said the trend of influenza cases and influenza-like infections (Influenza-like Illness, ILI) continues to decrease.

However, the minister reminded the public to take preventive measures such as self-isolation, if they are experiencing symptoms of infection and to see a doctor if symptoms persist or worsen.

He encouraged the public to get the influenza vaccine, especially for those over the age of 60 and those with pre-existing health conditions.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin