GEORGE TOWN – Police have confirmed that the sudden death of a mosque caretaker in Bayan Lepas last week was due to Covid-19.
Southwest district police chief A. Anbalagan confirmed that the 67-year-old man tested positive for the virus.
However, the fact that he collapsed and died on the spot at a private clinic has complicated efforts to control any outbreak at the township as health authorities will need to widen their reach in testing close contacts and those who have encountered the victim.
The deceased suffered fever and chills during Hari Raya Aidilfitri but thought nothing of it, as the fever was mild.
His condition worsened last week prompting him to seek treatment alone at the clinic in Bayan Lepas where he complained of having a fever.
However, it was learnt that he collapsed outside the clinic in the middle of public view and what was distressing was that people at the scene were reluctant to reach out to him as he laid there gasping his last breaths.
The manner of his sudden death has also sent shockwaves through the community here.
Anbalagan said the deceased, who worked at Al-Hidayah Mosque in Bayan Lepas, died while undergoing treatment for fever at the clinic.
Penang Medical Practitioners Society (PMPS) president Dr Parmjit Singh advised the public not to take health problems lightly in the face of the pandemic as ignorance could be fatal.
However, if a carrier senses something was wrong with his or her health status, they should seek immediate medical treatment as it may not only save their lives but others as well.
Parmjit advised people to stay at home, which is the best option.
He believed that the government’s decision to enforce the nationwide lockdown for two weeks from Tuesday, would help contain the pandemic.
Penang recorded 248 new cases today bringing its caseload to 28,298 cases with 67 deaths.
The nation had on Saturday recorded 9,020 cases, the highest since the start of the pandemic, but cases dropped to 6,999 today. – The Vibes, May 30, 2021
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