Covid cases in Selangor on the decline
As of epidemiological week 19, cumulative cases for 2025 stand at 3,807. This is a sharp drop from 14,542 cases recorded during the same period last year.
In a statement today, State Public Health and Environment Committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin said weekly cases had stayed below 100 since Week 12 or mid-March, with consistent downward trends.
She credited the state government's preventive efforts, cooperation with the Selangor Health Department (JKNS) and strong public compliance for helping keep infections low, even as neighbouring countries report renewed surges.
Jamaliah urged continued caution, especially for high-risk groups such as older people and those with chronic conditions.
She said state authorities would keep monitoring the situation and ensure that the public health system remains on standby.
Her remarks came a day after Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the national government was watching regional developments closely, following rising case numbers in Thailand and Singapore.
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As the pandemic spread, social media postings and the virus' spread stoked fear; uncertainties about treatments and the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions like social distancing, masking etc; and the safety and effectiveness of the new vaccines, among others. This caused societal turmoil and fear, protests in some countries, and delayed or no vaccine uptake, as well as increased death rates in some countries or regions. During the pandemic, the WHO introduced the term 'infodemic', which is 'too much information, including false or misleading information, in digital and physical environments during a disease outbreak. 'It causes confusion and risk-taking behaviours that can harm health. 'It also leads to mistrust in health authorities and undermines the public health response. 'An infodemic can intensify or lengthen outbreaks when people are unsure about what they need to do to protect their health and the health of people around them. 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He added that effective safeguards are technically achievable. 'However, the current protections are inconsistent and insufficient. 'Developers, regulators and public health stakeholders must act decisively, and they must act now. 'Without immediate action, these systems could be exploited by malicious actors to manipulate public health discourse at scale, particularly during crises such as pandemics or vaccine campaigns.' Take these actions The message from the study is clear, i.e. 'Trust your doctor, not the chatbox.' The comment in the New England Journal of Medicine 's Journal Watch on July 1 (2025) is unambiguous: 'The danger is clear and present: Anyone can create AI chatbots that generate authoritative answers with fabricated peer-reviewed references and disseminate false health information – no coding required. 'What can we do? ... writers remind us of the SIFT method: 'Stop and think; 'Investigate sources; 'Find other sources; and 'Trace claims to their origins. 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Regulators have a vital role in addressing health misinformation and disinformation. Their actions can include: Ensuring there are robust screening and accountability safeguards to ensure public health safety with rapidly evolving digital technologies Addressing the public health impact of health misinformation and disinformation Establishing best practices for prevention by ensuring their websites provide current and accurate health information Sharing toolkits from other regulators Investing in research on misinformation and disinformation Modernising public health communications Increasing resources to help states and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to better address questions, concerns, misinformation and disinformation Expanding efforts to build long-term resilience to misinformation and disinformation like educational programmes. In summary, there is an urgent need for regulators, especially the government, to address the use of AI in health misinformation and disinformation. Dr Milton Lum is a past president of the Federation of Private Medical Practitioners Associations and the Malaysian Medical Association. For more information, email starhealth@ The views expressed do not represent that of organisations that the writer is associated with. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only, and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the reader's own medical care. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.
