PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia is set to be hit by a third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic if the people continue to be complacent about complying with the standard operating procedure (SOP), such as wearing face masks and practising social distancing, said Health Director-General Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

He said the increase in new clusters could cause a spike in cases if the outbreak is not properly controlled.

“(A Covid-19) pandemic? Probably yes, if Malaysians do not adhere to the SOP. Preventive measures are more important.

“The new clusters are like embers, and if we do not comply with the SOP, it’s like we are the fuel. So, when fuel mixes with embers it will cause a huge blaze, which means a sudden spike in cases,” he said at the Covid-19 media briefing, here, Monday.

He said the Health Ministry (KKM) has recorded 120 new cases in the 30th epidemiological week (from July 19 to July 25) and this is worrying, especially if the number of new cases continues to rise.

“If there are 2,000 to 3,000 cases in a week, then hospitals will be crowded and we won’t be able to treat the patients. At that time, our control measures will only be focused on hospitals,” he added.