KUALA LUMPUR – The Johor government should begin mass Covid-19 testing given that the state has a positivity rate of 9%, said two MPs.
For a start, it should sponsor and conduct 1,500 tests in each state constituency, for a total of 84,000 tests, said Bakri’s Yeo Bee Yin and Teo Nie Ching (Kulai).
In a statement, they said Johor contributes about 8.5% of new coronavirus cases, behind the Klang Valley and Sarawak, but its high positivity rate indicates that testing is being inadequately carried out.
“Fewer tests are done in Johor, hence fewer infections are detected. In other words, the current Covid-19 situation in Johor is underrated.
“Therefore, we concur with the health DG, and urge the Johor government to emulate Selangor and start mass testing.”
Yesterday, Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the ministry plans to increase Covid-19 testing using rapid RTK-Ag during the total lockdown in place from June 1 to 14, and called on all state governments, MPs and assemblymen to assist in the effort.
Yeo and Teo said during a discussion between the Johor chief minister, MPs and reps last Thursday, they were told that 66,173 tests were conducted between April 20 and May 3, of which 3,486 returned positive – a positivity rate of 5.2%.
The lawmakers were also told that 70,645 tests were conducted between May 4 and 17, of which 6,932 returned positive (9.8% positivity rate).
“Mass testing will allow Johor to capture more updated data on the pandemic, while allowing elected reps to mobilise their volunteers and resources to reach out to voters and residents.
“It will also show the Johor people that the state government is proactive in fighting this pandemic.
“The positivity rate, which is consistently above the 5% benchmark set by the World Health Organisation, warrants more testing. It also suggests a higher transmission, and that there are likely more people with Covid-19 in the community who have not yet been tested.”
The state yesterday logged another 433 infections. – The Vibes, May 31, 2021
