The Delta variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, can infect a larger group of people in a short span of time.
Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the variant, which originated from India, had a higher infectivity rate (Rt) of between 5 and 8, compared to its predecessor's 2.5 to 3.
"This means that for every 100 people infected, it could spread to 500 to 800 others.
"With the Delta variant, infections can happen within 15 seconds, and the infection is now airborne," Noor Hisham said in a joint press conference with Health Minister Dr Adham Baba yesterday, reported New Straits Times (NST).
This is a far cry from the previous strains of the coronavirus, which could pass on from an infected person to another individuals, in a span of 15 minutes, in distances of one-metre apart.
The situation calls for the public to increase their adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs), such as wearing face masks, practising physical distancing, and avoid crowded and confined places.
Vaccination is a way to curb the spread of the virus in the community, he said, citing Labuan, where the Delta strain was first detected in Malaysia.
From recording a high infectivity rate of 1,340 cases per week, the number was eventually brought down with ramped up vaccination.
Yesterday, a staggering 13,215 new COVID-19 cases were recorded - the highest ever since the pandemic broke last year. One hundred ten new deaths were also reported.
These bring the number of total confirmed COVID-19 cases and related deaths in the country to 880,782, and 6,613, respectively.
Globally, the coronavirus has infected more than 189 million people, and killed over 4.08 million.
Source: NST
Photo source: NST
Shuman
Fri Jul 16 2021

Kambathu Ponnu [Theme Song]
Kavitha Savitha | Theme Song
Naan Sethu Pozhachavanda [Title Song]
Thaipusam 2025 I LIVEI I 10th Feb I 9PM - 1AM
Thaipusam 2025 I LIVEI I 10th Feb I 5PM - 8.30PM
Pasanga 2 | Episode 100 [Preview]
Sarasu’s constant lies are spiraling out of control, putting everyone in danger!
Binge-watch all 100 episodes of Pasanga 2 now on Astro On Demand!
Binge-watch all 100 episodes of Pasanga 2 now on Astro On Demand!
Astro Thaipusam Live Coverage 2025 | Malaysia
ASTRO is all set to bring you LIVE coverage of Thaipusam 2025! From 9 February, 8PM to 11 February, 10PM, tune in to Astro Vinmeen (Ch 202) and get ready to be swept away by the spiritual energy of this sacred celebration.
#Thaipusam2025 #MalaysiaThaipusam #AstroThaipusamLiveCoverage #NandriKantha #astroulagam
#Thaipusam2025 #MalaysiaThaipusam #AstroThaipusamLiveCoverage #NandriKantha #astroulagam
Pasanga 2 | Episode 99 [Preview]
Ranjini loses her cool after discovering Raja met Priya—even if it was just a coincidence! A heated argument erupts between them.
Don’t miss the gripping Pasanga 2 finale episodes, airing until 6th February at 9 PM on Vinmeen. Also available on Astro Go and On Demand.
Don’t miss the gripping Pasanga 2 finale episodes, airing until 6th February at 9 PM on Vinmeen. Also available on Astro Go and On Demand.
Pasanga 2 | Episode 98 [Preview]
Diya finally learns the truth about Yoges—but is it too late? Is she in danger now?
Don’t miss the gripping Pasanga 2 finale episodes, airing until 6th February at 9 PM on Vinmeen. Also available on Astro Go and On Demand.
Don’t miss the gripping Pasanga 2 finale episodes, airing until 6th February at 9 PM on Vinmeen. Also available on Astro Go and On Demand.
Pasanga 2 | Episode 97 [Preview]
When Yoges visits Anand and Deepa at their home, emotions run high. Unable to hold back, Anand demands Yoges to stay away from his daughter Diya, igniting unexpected chaos.
Don’t miss the gripping Pasanga 2 finale episodes, airing until 6th February at 9 PM on Vinmeen. Also available on Astro Go and On Demand.
Don’t miss the gripping Pasanga 2 finale episodes, airing until 6th February at 9 PM on Vinmeen. Also available on Astro Go and On Demand.