From Dr Vinogiri KS
Data on Covid-19 deaths in Malaysia reported from March 31 to April 30 shows a very worrying trend among the younger population.
About 3.7% of the deaths were among those aged between 25 years and 34 years, 7.45% were among those aged between 35 and 44 years and 11.2% were among those aged between 45 and 54 years.
Out of a total of 19 cases brought in dead during this one-month time span, 10 cases were among those aged between 23 and 50 years (47.4%).
A recent death reported in Sarawak, Case No 28,397, was a 37-year-old Sarawakian man who was found unconscious in his home. He did have some discomfort in his chest and experienced fatigue two days before and had no other underlying health issues.
Another death in Sarawak was of a 30-year-old who was also found unconscious at home.
On April 27, a 23-year-old man was brought in dead to the Selayang hospital and no comorbidities were reported.
On May 1, the health ministry reported that the number of Covid-19 patients who are all at a critical stage has reached a new high with a record of 337 patients in ICU with 176 intubated patients.
This information confirms that the impact of Covid-19 is on everyone regardless the young or old. The bitter truth is that more and more younger people, children and babies are dying worldwide from this disease.
Each Covid-19 death is labelled by a case number and they become another statistic in the Covid-19 death database.
The painful truth is that they were humans with names, identities and personalities, humans with love to give others, humans with hopes and dreams, and humans with a desire to live, are ignored, taken lightly and sometimes even ridiculed.
Death is inevitable but to die suddenly, painfully and all alone is definitely not how any of us would want to leave this life.
We need to be aware that getting vaccinated does not mean that we are safe from an infection or that we are shielded completely. Vaccination does reduce disease severity but does not stop infection and transmission.
It is still very much possible to get infected after vaccination as seen in a recent case in Singapore who got infected after the completion of his vaccine dosages and by the 40 healthcare workers in Malaysia who still got infected after completing their vaccination.
These cases are a reminder to us to continue practising all the public health measures.
Hence, please plan each day wisely and carefully for yourself, your loved ones and for everyone around you. There are so many uncertainties at this point. Practising public health and social measures is very vital at this point.
We are all tired from adjusting to the new norm that changed our lifestyle completely but this outbreak is not slowing down even a bit.
Get tested immediately if you have been exposed. Do not take any symptoms lightly. Everyone reacts to an illness differently and early detection will save lives.
I write this with a heavy heart and mind, thinking of each and every life that we have lost till this moment and will keep on losing because of this pandemic. We are still far from victory but together, we can save each other and keep everyone as safe as possible.
We can make a difference if we stand tall and fight this battle together.
Dr Vinogiri KS is an epidemiologist and an FMT reader.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.
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