KUALA LUMPUR – After a Covid-19 outbreak at Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital (HTAR) in Klang, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari has ordered all hospital staff there to undergo Covid-19 screening.
Selangorkini today reported that the implementation will be discussed with the state Health Department.
Amirudin said the National Security Council has called the state government to discuss the outbreak, and any movement control orders will come from the council.
Yesterday, it was reported that the hospital had 143 Covid-19 cases, involving 62 health workers and 81 patients.
Meanwhile, Klang MP Charles Santiago in a statement today called for urgent action to address the resurgence of Covid-19 in his constituency.
“It’s incredibly difficult to keep issues hushed up, more so when people are frantic about the rising numbers of Covid-19 cases.
“Even before it was reported in the media, there were rumours about an outbreak at HTAR. There may be no basis to this gossip, but the point is that people were panicking.
“The recent spike in the number of Covid-19 cases in Klang doesn’t help, with public health experts warning we may have a ‘mini Sabah’ in my constituency if the situation is not contained soon.”
He suggested that the Health Ministry set up a Covid-19 response team in Klang to stem anxiety and fear.
“This team should monitor, create awareness, provide daily reports, and mobilise local communities and factories to address the significant increase of Covid-19 cases in the area.
“In addition, the response team could bring private-sector doctors and medical facilities on board to complement the public sector’s efforts.”
He said the team needs to provide daily updates on the situations in Klang and Kapar.
“Klang health officials indicate that the bulk of infections are among migrant workers at 78% of cases, while locals make up 22%.
“In the last 14 days, Klang and Kapar areas recorded 3,724 infections. Currently, there are 4,318 active cases. The cumulative number of infections is 11,378, plus 10 deaths.”
On December 17, The Vibes reported that at least two medical wards at HTAR and one operating theatre at the Selayang Hospital have been closed due to Covid-19 outbreaks.
Sources told The Vibes that the sources of infections are patients who did not disclose their health status upon arrival, resulting in hospital staff contracting the disease.
“There were a lot of them (patients), and they were not being truthful when they were hospitalised,” said a source. – The Vibes, December 21, 2020
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