He added that aside from increasing the vaccination rate, strict controls had been put in place since the lockdown was extended at the end of June, to curb the spread of the virus.

“These two weeks is to give us time, so that we can identify the areas involved, increase screenings as well detect cases among close contacts, and reduce infections within the community.

“Secondly, it’s to increase vaccination in the Klang Valley. Selangor is still far (behind) because its population is so large, so in terms of vaccinations, there may be many doses being administered, but the percentage (with regard to its population) is still low,” he said when appearing as a guest on Bernama TV’s “The Nation”, hosted by Bernama chairman Ras Adiba Radzi last night.

Malaysia recorded 9,353 new Covid-19 cases yesterday, with Selangor reporting 4,277 cases followed by Kuala Lumpur with 1,398 cases.

Noor Hisham said he believed the Covid-19 virus could be controlled once the vaccination rates went up, with priority to be given to high-risk areas and sectors which are currently allowed to operate under the current lockdown.

He said with the increased capacity in administering 300,000 and 400,000 doses of vaccines per day, the health ministry expected 70% to 80% of the Malaysian population to be vaccinated by September or early October.

He said the positive outcome of the vaccination drive would become more apparent once at least 50% of the population had been vaccinated.

Meanwhile, he said health workers from states that had entered the second phase of the national recovery plan (NRP) would be stationed at Covid-19 hotspots, such as in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.

Admitting that health frontliners were experiencing burnout after fighting the pandemic for almost two years, he advised the “national heroes” to persevere and not give up the fight against the pandemic.

“This is a long war, and it takes time. We are all affected, including Malaysian citizens and the frontliners. It’s a very intense war now,” he said.