He said an increase in cases was expected in view of the number of events and celebrations throughout the country but the healthcare system could cope with the surge.

“Although hospitalisations have increased slightly, 55% are in Categories 1 and 2,” he told reporters at the ministry’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration today.

A Category 1 patient is a patient confirmed as Covid-19 positive, while a Category 2 patient is an individual who was in close contact with an individual from Category 1.

“A number of admissions involving the elderly and those with comorbidities were also done as precautionary measures.”

He added that there had been no sudden increase in serious cases or intensive care unit (ICU) admissions.

In a weekly update yesterday, health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah had said the number of new Covid-19 cases spiked by 119.2% last week, with the number of those admitted to public health facilities increasing by 38% per 100,000 population compared to the previous week.

Commenting further, Khairy said that 405 Paxlovid antiviral pills had been given to high-risk patients yesterday.

He said the use of the pill at Covid-19 assessment centres (CACs) and government hospitals showed encouraging signs.

“The Paxlovid pill is currently being used to treat high-risk patients but we are looking at expanding its use, subject to the reports from CACs and government hospitals.”