KUALA LUMPUR – Sharing raw data is common practice in medicine, said Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, after the health director-general hit out at the Selangor Task Force for Covid-19 (STFC) chairman for claiming the ministry is withholding such information, hampering the state’s virus fight.
The data is only on where an individual contracted the coronavirus, the date of diagnosis and when their symptoms started appearing, the former health minister told The Vibes, allaying privacy concerns.
“Every day, such data is shared between scientists and researchers for the purpose of publishing studies,” he said, citing China’s publication of the Covid-19 genome sequence on open platforms.
Last week, Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the Health Ministry never releases raw data in any state, and expressed concern that Dr Dzulkefly might share it with the press.
Dr Dzulkefly, however, said the data will be used by STFC in efforts against the pandemic.
“With the data, we can mobilise personnel to monitor SOP compliance, perform targeted contact tracing and community screenings, and conduct targeted community education.”
The Kuala Selangor MP added that the antigen rapid test kit (RTK AG), though less accurate than a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, is a good way to determine virus hotspots quickly.
“Using this test, you can identify whether the virus is in a particular setting, like prisons, schools or old-age homes.
“RTK AG is less sensitive than PCR, and it detects the viral load during a stage when a person is highly infective.
“So, if the purpose is for screening, use RTK AG. For clinical diagnosis, use PCR.” – The Vibes, October 27, 2020
