SG PETANI – Thirty staff of Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital here have tested positive for the Delta and Beta Covid-19 variants.
Kedah health and local government exco Datuk Dr Mohd Hayati Othman said as at 3pm today, those confirmed to have contracted the virus are doctors, nurses and hospital cleaners.
“The hospital remains open. Only some wards are closed for sanitisation. The emergency services are operating as normal.
“However, those with follow-up appointments at the specialist clinics will have their dates changed.”
His comments follow a viral message saying the hospital is shut after 100 employees were found positive for the Delta and Beta variants, which were first detected in India and South Africa, respectively.
The message also claimed that the state Health Department has instructed the facility to treat only emergency cases.
Hayati said the public should not be unduly worried, as the matter is now being attended to by state health officials.
The hospital, which is also reportedly facing a shortage of personal protective equipment, is receiving assistance from the local chapter of the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation. – The Vibes, July 7, 2021
