JOHOR BARU – Johor has opened three Covid-19 quarantine and low-risk treatment centres in the state following the increase in the number of cases during the third wave, said state health and environment committee chairman R. Vidyanathan.
He said that the three centres are the Permai Hospital Sport Complex, six wards at the same hospital, and the Health Ministry Training Institute’s Block C.
“The clinical management and care of Covid-19 patients at all three locations are under the management of Sultanah Aminah Johor Baru Hospital,” he said in a statement here today.
Vidyanathan added that the Permai Hospital Sport Complex will be used as an additional location to accommodate patients, with a capacity of 75 canvas beds from the Senai Airport Disaster Unit and Johor Fire and Rescue Department.
He said the complex began receiving patients from Monday and received 58 Covid-19 patients referred from districts within two days.
The centre at Block C of the Health Ministry Training Institute was used to house low-risk Covid-19 patients with no symptoms or minor symptoms as a “step down centre” during the second wave of the pandemic from April to June.
However, the centre has been reactivated from December 4 to house patients without or with minor symptoms before they are allowed to return home after their quarantine ends.
“It has a maximum capacity of 496 beds and commenced operations on December 4 with an initial capacity of 146 beds. The capacity has been enhanced based on current needs.
“Patients admitted to this centre were transferred from Permai Johor Baru Covid Ward Hospital and Enche' Besar Hajjah Khalsom Hospital in Kluang.
“From December 4 to 15, a total of 631 patients have been transferred to the centres with 386 of them allowed to return home,” he said, adding that six special wards at the Permai Johor Bahru Hospital have a capacity of 244 beds. – Bernama, December 17, 2020
