[PHOTOS] Choked due to stubbornness: MAEPS struggles with rising Covid-19 cases
Emergence of new coronavirus variants also tests centre’s capacity
Updated 5 years ago · Published on 19 May 2021 9:00AM
At the start of January, only 60 beds were available for Category 3 patients. Now, there are 757 beds. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes pic, May 19, 2021
by Azim Rahman
KUALA LUMPUR – The Covid-19 quarantine and low-risk treatment centre at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) is approaching full capacity.
The stubbornness of people, who have failed to follow instructions and standard operating procedures set by the government, has led to an increase in Covid-19 cases.
The presence of several new coronavirus variants has also caused the centre to become even more crowded.
At the start of January, only 60 beds were available for Category 3 patients. Now, there are 757 beds.
It will not stop there, however, as the Health Ministry has to increase availability to 1,000 beds due to the climbing number of Category 3 patients sent to MAEPS.
According to Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba, MAEPS will increase its capacity to 10,000 beds to accommodate 4,000 patients from Categories 1 and 2, and 1,000 beds for Category 3.
Doctors, medical staff and non-clinical workers sent to MAEPS are thoroughly fatigued, but continue to work.
However, the number of patients still increases each day.
Malaysia recorded 4,865 Covid-19 cases yesterday, with Selangor claiming 1,743 infections.
The nation also saw a record-high daily death count, with 47 fatalities. So far, the virus has claimed the lives of 1,994 individuals.
The Vibes photographer AZIM RAHMAN brings you pictures of the current scene at MAEPS. – The Vibes, May 19, 2021
The number of Covid-19 patients at the MAEPS quarantine and low-risk treatment centre is increasing day by day. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes pic, May 19, 2021A contractor installs new beds. To accommodate Categories 1 and 2 patients, MAEPS will increase the number of beds to10,000. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes pic, May 19, 2021Covid-19 patients in Categories 1, 2 and 3 wait to enter MAEPS. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes pic, May 19, 2021Medical staff at the centre handle the admission of patients, the daily intake of which has reached an alarming level. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes pic, May 19, 2021A Covid-19 patient hooked to a health monitoring machine. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes pic, May 19, 2021Patients at MAEPS live with no privacy as the lights are on 24 hours a day. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes pic, May 19, 2021Only handphones link patients at MAEPs with their families. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes pic, May 19, 2021Packed food for Covid-19 patients. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes pic, May 19, 2021Medical staff are on duty 24/7 to ensure the admission of patients to MAEPS is smooth and organised. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes pic, May 19, 2021Medical staff work hard to help patients at MAEPS. They say they sincerely hope that patients will not have to go to Sg Buloh Hospital. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes pic, May 19, 2021There are patients who recover and return to their families, but there are also a few who have to be taken to Sg Buloh Hospital for more complex follow-up treatment. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes pic, May 19, 2021
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