MIRI – Hospitals across Sarawak are tightening measures to restrict non-emergency visits by public after 13 Sibu Hospital staff members contract Covid-19.
Notices have been issued by all hospitals to ensure the public access main health facilities only if absolutely necessary.
The hospitals are to only handle emergency cases and not entertain walk-ins, the notices read.
At Sibu Hospital, 13 of its own staff members joined the other 657 Covid-19 patients it is already treating. The health workers tested positive for the coronavirus yesterday.
Sarawak Health Director Dr Chin Zin Hing confirmed that the 13 health personnel have been placed in isolation.
Contact tracing among the hospital's staff is being done today, he added.
Miri Hospital also issued a temporary ban on walk-ins, with notices placed at its main entrance warning the public of this.
The hospital also issued notices to all community organisations via social media.
In emergency situation, the public are urged to head directly to the emergency unit entrance and not the general lobby.
Those needing specialist care must first call in and secure an appointment, or else they will not be allowed to enter the compound.
Those who have secured an appointment can only enter half-an-hour before their check-up time and must leave the hospital after obtaining their medication.
Those wanting to visit loved ones being treated in wards must register first.
They will be given visitors' slips to be shown to the security guards before being allowed to enter the wards, with visiting time limited to an hour a day.
Major hospitals in Sarawak are treating Covid-19 patients in the hundreds.
Sibu Hospital has the highest number, with 699 positive patients as of last night.
Miri Hospital has 278 positive patients, Sarawak General Hospital in Kuching (114) and Bintulu Hospital (55) while smaller district hospitals have only one or two positive patients. – The Vibes, January 20, 2021
