ALOR STAR – Another low-risk quarantine and treatment centre (PKRC) will be set up in Jitra, Kedah due to the inability of the existing PKRC to cope with the rising number of Covid-19 cases in the state.
State Health and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Hayati Othman said the state Health Department had identified a hall in Jitra to be used as a PKRC.
The centre will address the acute shortage of beds to treat Covid-19 cases with mild symptoms and asymptomatic cases.
Hayati said that 89% or 177 out of 200 beds to treat mild and asymptomatic Covid-19 patients were already in use at a similar facility at Sg Petani, while the one in Kulim recorded a bed usage of 55% or 165 out of 300 beds provided.
There are now 500 beds at the two PKRC.
“There are Covid-19 cases from Jitra and Alor Star that we had to send to the Health Ministry training centre at the Kulim PKRC.
“There is quite a distance between these districts and it is time-consuming.
“Besides, the Kulim PKRC is also almost full because the centre also receives cases from other districts,” he said.
Hayati said the situation at Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital and Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital in Sg Petani, which are the two main Covid-19 treatment centres, are also running out of beds.
“Covid-19 cases in Kota Setar have also risen sharply with many clusters recorded.
“Today, I was informed that there are 200 people in Pendang who will undergo screening at the Pendang District Health Office as they have been identified as close contacts.”
Hayati advised the public not to visit friends or family despite the festive occasion.
He also expressed concern over the number of clusters that could emerge during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration.
“We need total cooperation to fight this virus,” he said. – The Vibes, May 14, 2021
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