KUALA LUMPUR – With the rate at which new Covid-19 cases are being reported in the country, it is inevitable that some patients who tested positive will have to go through quarantine at home, said a health expert.
Respiratory physician Dr Helmy Haja Mydin said the situation today has caused local healthcare workers to be stretched and fatigued, affecting services and patient care.
He also pointed out that Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham’s statement that asymptomatic patients would have to self-isolate is not exclusive to Malaysia, with many other countries also practising a similar policy, as facilities get overwhelmed.
“We previously admitted all positive cases in order to ensure quarantine was adhered to,” he told The Vibes today.
“In an ideal situation, we can continue with this approach, but it is obvious that the surge (in infections) is becoming overwhelming, like many experts have warned. There is only so much frontliners can do.
“Self-isolation for positive cases with mild or no symptoms will be inevitable if our quarantine centres are full,” he added.
Malay Mail today reported Noor Hisham as advising those asymptomatic Covid-19 patients to be isolated at home temporarily before being taken to hospital due to logistical issues as a result of high daily infections.
There have also been reports previously claiming that some hospitals are stretched, with staff also infected by the coronavirus.
Meanwhile, Helmy, who works at Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur, urged all quarters to stop politicising the Covid-19 issue, as the country grapples to address the pandemic.
“The public and community leaders must also get their act together and stop giving conflicting messages.
“If the cases continue to surge, the economy will inevitably be affected. People will be afraid to go out, while tourists will not consider Malaysia a safe place to visit,” he said. – The Vibes, December 28, 2020
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