KUALA LUMPUR – Bed occupancy in Covid-19 intensive care units in the country yesterday hit 83%, putting immense pressure on the public healthcare system, said Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
In a statement today, the health director-general said the top three states in terms of Covid-19 ICU usage are Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Selangor, while Sultanah Bahiyah and Sultan Abdul Halim Hospitals in Kedah top the list of facilities with high ICU use.
Dr Noor Hisham reiterated his plea for Malaysians to stay home, and strictly observe the standard operating procedures if there is a need to go out.
“Employers are urged to give permission to employees to work from home and limit the number of employees in the office at any one time.”
A chart he shared shows an exponential rise in coronavirus patients needing intensive care and ventilators. Yesterday, it was reported that another 587 cases are in ICUs, with 330 requiring breathing aid.
Dr Noor Hisham’s statement follows yesterday’s record-high infections and deaths – 6,806 new cases bring Malaysia’s cumulative caseload to 492,302, while 59 fatalities drive up the death toll to 2,099.
In an effort to add more ICU beds, the armed forces have set up a field ICU ward in the compound of Kepala Batas Hospital in Penang.
The ward, which uses a modular concept, is able to accommodate up to 27 Covid-19 patients in critical condition who need respiratory assistance or other life-support equipment. A modular laboratory and modular radiology unit have also been set up to provide clinical support services.
The field ICU ward will start operating soon in stages, said Dr Noor Hisham, and for a start, an anaesthesiologist, an intensive care specialist, two medical officers and 14 ICU nurses will be stationed there.
On Wednesday, he raised the alarm that Covid-19 hospitals have increased the number of ICU beds allocated to coronavirus patients by repurposing ordinary wards.
“The situation in the Klang Valley is dire, with 79% of total ICU beds at Covid-19 hospitals in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya having been allocated to Covid-19 cases. Total Covid-19 ICU admission (including suspected/probable cases) in Selangor, KL and Putrajaya has increased by 94% from two weeks ago.” – The Vibes, May 21, 2021
