Rising Covid cases in Malaysia could exacerbate chip shortages

[midian182]

In brief: A surge in Covid-19 cases in Malaysia could worsen the global chip shortage, with three key suppliers in the country heavily impacted by rising infection rates. The situation might result in lockdowns being extended and reduced manufacturing capabilities at the plants.

Bloomberg reports that Infineon Technologies AG, NXP Semiconductors NV, and STMicroelectronics NV are all feeling the pressure of Malaysia’s increase in Covid cases—spurred by the Delta variant—which has seen the seven-day average jump from 5,000 in June to beyond 20,000

Official guidelines in Malaysia state that factories have to close down for up to two weeks if more than three employees test positive for Covid-19. Infineon and STMicroelectronics recently shut down or reduced production at some of their facilities due to the coronavirus.

In an attempt to mitigate the damage to the country’s economy, companies were allowed to keep operating with 60% of their workforces during June lockdowns, and they’ll be able to move back to 100% when more than 80% of their workers are fully vaccinated.

Malaysia's infection rates since the pandemic began

While Malaysia doesn’t hold the same importance in the semiconductor chain as Taiwan or South Korea, it is a significant location for chip testing and packaging. The processes are less automated than wafer fabrication, relying more on the human workforce. Electronics and electrical products account for 39% of the country’s total exports, according to data from the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

Infineon said the shutdown had impacted the company to the tune of “high double-digit” millions of euros, and STMicro admitted that a recent 11-day shutdown would diminish the company’s ability to serve customers.

But can it play Crysis?

How much this will affect the current graphics card shortage is unclear. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang recently said the supply issues would last “the vast majority” of 2022. The availability problems have led to companies relaunching older cards; Asus recently dropped the GeForce GT 730, part of the 700 series that first arrived in 2013.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/90924-rising-covid-cases-malaysia-could-exacerbate-chip-shortages.html

 

[Achaios]

United Scalpers & Mafia Scalpers International rubbing their hands.

 

[Dimitriid]

Yep, more excuses for extended supply constrains. This is blatant price fixing at this point.

 

[Shadowboxer]

Yep, more excuses for extended supply constrains. This is blatant price fixing at this point.

If you cared to do any actual research you would see that Malaysia and it’s neighbouring countries are in the middle of their biggest covid wave yet with cases soaring way higher than they ever have been. Schools are closed, hospitals are turning people away, everyone is stuck at home.

So actually no, it’s not price fixing.

 

[TheBigFatClown]

If you cared to do any actual research you would see that Malaysia and it’s neighbouring countries are in the middle of their biggest covid wave yet with cases soaring way higher than they ever have been. Schools are closed, hospitals are turning people away, everyone is stuck at home.

So actually no, it’s not price fixing.

Wave....hehehehe.....millions of people dying I guess.......you used the word 'cases'....not deaths. So, with 3 vaccines on the market and people doing smart things to protect themselves....you know....like...wearing 4 masks at once and social distancing....why would they have to shut down everything again? Are they expecting a different result this time from the lockdowns?

Anyone who catches and conquers the virus is good to go back to work in 2 weeks as a result of naturally developed lifetime immunity. They will have antibodies coursing at full speed through their veins and be a threat to no one.
The lockdown at these companies should be against the very old and sick people. Not the young and healthy. But we already know it's all about the vaccines as the article stated. And as "James Hetfield" sings, "Nothing Else Matters".

This is just a long running silly charade at this point in time.

 

[Shadowboxer]

Wave....hehehehe.....millions of people dying I guess.......you used the word 'cases'....not deaths. So, with 3 vaccines on the market and people doing smart things to protect themselves....you know....like...wearing 4 masks at once and social distancing....why would they have to shut down everything again? Are they expecting a different result this time from the lockdowns?

Anyone who catches and conquers the virus is good to go back to work in 2 weeks as a result of naturally developed lifetime immunity. They will have antibodies coursing at full speed through their veins and be a threat to no one.
The lockdown at these companies should be against the very old and sick people. Not the young and healthy. But we already know it's all about the vaccines as the article stated. And as "James Hetfield" sings, "Nothing Else Matters".

This is just a long running silly charade at this point in time.

Your claims about the vaccine are inaccurate. I used to live in Thailand and am well connected and speaking to people out there. Vaccines are proving impossible to get hold of, I know a lot of expats whom are elderly and absolutely at risk who cannot get the vaccine. The government keeps promising to bring more vaccine in but then by the time it gets to the local population all the Thai officials, police, government workers etc have all had their fill and there’s nothing left. Thais are even protesting in the streets about not just restrictions but the obvious corruption surrounding the vaccine. The Thai government are currently planning to end restrictions and live with the virus. Yet the vast majority of the population are not vaccinated and private medical providers are even barred from selling it.

So yeah, your conspiracy theory doesn’t add up.

 

[TheBigFatClown]

Your claims about the vaccine are inaccurate. I used to live in Thailand and am well connected and speaking to people out there. Vaccines are proving impossible to get hold of, I know a lot of expats whom are elderly and absolutely at risk who cannot get the vaccine. The government keeps promising to bring more vaccine in but then by the time it gets to the local population all the Thai officials, police, government workers etc have all had their fill and there’s nothing left. Thais are even protesting in the streets about not just restrictions but the obvious corruption surrounding the vaccine. The Thai government are currently planning to end restrictions and live with the virus. Yet the vast majority of the population are not vaccinated and private medical providers are even barred from selling it.

So yeah, your conspiracy theory doesn’t add up.

My conspiracy theory doesnt hold up huh? Well, it makes sense since (see what I did there) no one anywhere on planet conspires anymore. The world is filled with selfless saints these days, it seems.
These are billion dollar (or is it trillion dollar) companies. If they wanted to remain open, they could.
What ever happened to that wonderful line, "Too big to fail?"

The CFR for the delta variant tells us we do not need the workers vaccinated. Let them work, catch the virus and have naturally developed lifetime immunity. The very sick and unhealthy have no business working.