SANDAKAN – A total of 49 seniors living in the Sri Harapan Old Folk’s Home in Jalan Sibuga here are now exposed to the Covid-19 virus, after nine positive cases were detected in the nursing home.
Officer-in-charge of Sri Harapan, Roslan Muhammad said that the cases were detected among the inmates and the staff of the nursing home. There are 22 staff working at the centre.
He said that the first case at the centre involved an elderly resident.
“We are not sure how they got infected with the virus, as we have not allowed visitors since the movement control order (MCO) was called in March,” he said.
“However, we have taken some of them to the hospital for their doctor’s appointments. Maybe that is how the inmate got infected.”
Yesterday,Health Director-General Tan Sri Noor Hisham Abdullah announced a new Covid-19 cluster – the Jalan Sibuga Cluster – the first positive case of which was detected on January 7, with a screening on a resident experiencing symptoms being confirmed positive for Covid-19.
As of yesterday, 80 people were screened, and nine had tested positive with Covid-19.
Sabah’s Covid-19 Spokesperson, Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun yesterday confirmed that the Jalan Sibuga Cluster took place in the Sri Harapan Old Folks Home.
Roslan said that staff have been struggling to cope with the Covid-19 cases as it is impossible to fully comply with standard operating procedures (SOPs).
“While we ensure that the inmates are adhering to the SOPs, it is difficult for the nurses and caretakers at the centre to do so, as it is impossible to avoid close contact with residents as we care for them.
“For instance, when we give them a shower and assist them to bed, we must have physical contact with them. But, we are doing the best that we can. We wear a mask, half personal protective equipment (PPE) and gloves when working.
“The staff at the centre have also been extra careful when they go outside the centre, as we do not want to carry the virus to the residents, as they are the vulnerable group in this case,” he said.
However, Roslan said that health personnel have been very helpful in controlling the situation at the centre, as they have been monitoring the health conditions of residents daily since the first case was detected.
“Right now, I can only say that staff members are physically and mentally exhausted. With positive cases detected in the centre now, we can only hope for the best,” he said. – The Vibes, January 11, 2021
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