Former deputy health minister Dr Lee Boon Chye said information on clusters would help the people understand how the virus spreads within the community.

“We should be given information on clusters to better understand how the virus spreads from one person to another until it is deemed a cluster. This information will help the public understand how a cluster occurs and what measures can be taken to prevent infections,” he said.

Yesterday, health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the ministry detected 62 new clusters at educational institutions last week, up from the 15 education clusters detected the week before.

Universiti Sains Malaysia virologist Dr Muhammad Amir Yunus said the data on clusters must be made available to all in order to gauge the reality of the situation.

“From the data, we can see the total number of infections to determine whether or not there are severe cases involving schoolchildren.

“With schools reopening, the transmission of Covid-19 is to be expected. But with the data, we will be able to see if school clusters involve cases in Categories 3, 4 or 5, and decide whether stricter SOPs should be enforced,” he said.

Amir added it was important that the vaccination programme continue and that all who are eligible get vaccinated.

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