KUALA LUMPUR – The Health Ministry has recorded 84 Covid-19 infections in Parliament since the start of the ongoing Dewan Rakyat sittings in late October to date, said Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
In a statement, the health director-general said all the cases were detected and confirmed with RT-PCR tests.
He added that prior to the start of the sessions, 18 infections were found ahead of the current session between October 22 and 25, but no monitoring or control action was taken as a result of the discoveries.
“All cases were separated, and investigations found that there was no epidemiological relation (between the cases) or clusters reported.”
Dr Noor Hisham said during the sessions, 41 cases were detected between October 27 and November 28. He said the cases were immediately isolated, while no cluster was reported.
Another 25 cases were detected during another round of tests on November 29, he added.
He said the identified cases resulted in a high infectivity rate with the CT or RT PCR value ranging between 13.70 and 36.11.
“To date, all samples are most likely from the Delta variant that were detected through screening using PCR Genotyping Assay testing.
“To confirm this type of variant, the Institute for Medical Research has conducted a genomic sequence study and is still awaiting full results.”
Dr Noor Hisham said the health departments in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya are conducting investigations and close contact detection, apart from risk assessments to identify the cause of the infections.
“This is to ensure that further action can be taken immediately, in addition to disinfection activities in the areas around Parliament,” he said, adding that the ministry will constantly provide updates on infections in Parliament.
Dr Noor Hisham said the ministry will monitor the health status of all positive cases and close contacts, as well as newly reported cases during the incubation period.
“Therefore, it is advisable for individuals who attend Parliament to continue to monitor their own health using the MySejahtera application,” he told those who will be entering the compound.
“If symptomatic, do not attend Parliament, undergo a Covid-19 screening test and seek treatment immediately.” – The Vibes, November 30, 2021
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