KUALA LUMPUR – The Health Ministry had been advised a few months back to implement self-isolation for asymptomatic Covid-19 positive cases to avoid overwhelming public hospitals, but these calls were not heeded.
Selangor Task Force for Covid-19 (STFC) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said like the initial stricter movement control order in March, self-quarantine aimed to ensure that health facilities and staff were not swamped.
He said once cases experienced an exponential spike, as is the case currently with four-digit daily infections, it would be difficult to control them and would lead to hospitals being stretched.
“The STFC had suggested all along that asymptomatic positive individuals go through self-isolation, even before our facilities became overloaded. In fact, we have been proposing this since a few months ago.
“The basic premise is that our facilities will not be overwhelmed... and to ensure our safety,” he told The Vibes today.
Dzulkefly, who is the former health minister, was responding to Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah’s statement that individuals who test positive for the virus but are asymptomatic would have to isolate themselves at home for a few days.
He had told the Malay Mail that the ministry is facing logistical issues, including beds and transportation, due to high daily cases as a result of more testing.
There have also been multiple reports of hospitals being stretched to the limit due to an increase in infections and staff being similarly diagnosed for Covid-19.
Dzulkefly said the STFC had also already come up with standard operating procedures to minimise the risk of infection when proposing the self-isolation policy to the Health Ministry previously.
These include requiring patients to frequently update their health condition via the MySejahtera or Selangkah mobile applications, or through any new apps, to ensure better monitoring, and to seek treatment should they experience any symptoms.
Other steps include having the patients stay in the room throughout the isolation period, avoiding interaction with others, while ensuring the room is well-ventilated and is frequently cleaned.
“Certainly, if you start seeing symptoms like coughing, then you must immediately go to the hospital, especially those with comorbidity.
“And since monitoring will be tough, due to a lack of manpower, those self-isolating must take ownership and responsibility of keeping themselves and others safe. To ensure this, education and awareness is extremely important,” he said. – The Vibes, December 28, 2020
