Malaysia

‘Isolate asymptomatic Covid-19 patients at home’

Move due to high number of cases, logistic challenges, says health DG

Updated 5 years ago · Published on 28 Dec 2020 11:24AM

‘Isolate asymptomatic Covid-19 patients at home’
Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah has announced that due to an increase in Covid-19 cases and logistics issues, asymptomatic patients should observe self-quarantine at home instead. – Bernama pic, December 28, 2020

KUALA LUMPUR – In contrast to the practice of getting Covid-19 patients to hospital immediately, Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah now says asymptomatic patients should be isolated at home due to logistic challenges.

He told Malay Mail that this is because the Health Ministry is facing a very high number of cases and logistics issues when it comes to ferrying patients to hospitals.

“This happened in Sabah, too. We are talking about more than 1,000 cases a day. This is because of increased testing among foreign workers and, as expected, more cases being diagnosed.

“Foreign workers have no place in which to be isolated... We have thousands here. We are increasing the number of beds to 10,000,” he was quoted as saying.

Dr Noor Hisham said people waiting to be taken to hospitals are advised to stay in touch with district health offices.

His statement came after a complaint by a business owner, who said her infected employees has not been contacted or taken to government hospitals.

Despite that, she has ordered her other 17 employees to observe self-quarantine.

“Two of my staff members tested positive for Covid-19. Till today, the ministry has not contacted them, no pink bands, nothing,” she was quoted as saying.

Since yesterday, Malaysia has 20,233 active Covid-19 cases. – The Vibes, December 28, 2020

Related News

Malaysia / 5d

Dr Noor Hisham denies claims that the Pfizer vaccine caused deaths

Malaysia / 1mth

Child safety a priority in facing the increasingly worrying haze threat

World / 4mth

Trump's health: Weighs 108kg, heart age 14 years younger, hands bruised from frequent handshakes – Doctor

Malaysia / 4mth

Covid-19 cases in Malaysia stable, no deaths recorded this year – MOH

Malaysia / 5mth

Government’s RM5.7 billion spending cut a bold move to curb waste, says PKR leader

Malaysia / 5mth

Funding cutbacks may jeopardise public health, education, safety and crime prevention needs – Guan Eng

Spotlight

Diary

Penang reaffirms commitment to preserve heritage sites across the state

By Ian McIntyre

Opinion

AI: A Godsend for those with dyslexia in education and careers

Malaysia

Malaysia prepares for aged nation status by 2036

Malaysia

Mentally disabled suspect remanded for 7 days over fatal hammer attack in Marang

Malaysia

Masidi urges Putrajaya to address Sabah doctor shortage in upcoming Budget 2027

Malaysia

Police rearrest motivational speaker as second woman files harassment report in Perlis

Malaysia

Anwar vows zero compromise on school safety after alleged murder of teen Irene Sofiya

Malaysia

Classmates arrested as police probe fatal assault of 16-year-old Irene Sofiya

Malaysia

Loneliness, social media drive elderly pensions into hands of cyber scammers

Malaysia

Another desperate attempt by Nadzaruddin and former Undangs

You may be interested

Malaysia

Anwar vows zero compromise on school safety after alleged murder of teen Irene Sofiya

Malaysia

Organ and stomach samples collected from bull elephant found dead in Kinabatangan River

Malaysia

Sarawak Premier says stepping down after 2030 is natural process driven by age, health

Malaysia

Classmates arrested as police probe fatal assault of 16-year-old Irene Sofiya

Malaysia

Four dead, including baby girl in East-West Highway crash

Malaysia

The persistent appeal of an Islamic state in Malaysia

Malaysia

Motivational speaker remanded for two days over alleged child sexual harassment in Kangar

Malaysia

Mobile phone, clothing seized from teenager remanded over Yong Peng schoolgirl murder