High time for mass Covid-19 screenings, says health expert

KUALA LUMPUR – The government must begin to conduct mass testing for Covid-19 following the high positivity rate in Selangor, said a health advocate.

Dr Arvinder Singh HS made the call in wake of recent figures released by the Health Ministry, showing 194 positive cases from 865 tested in the Utama cluster, the largest one in Selangor.

He said this showed a positivity rate of 22.42% based on yesterday’s figures.

“It has already hit a point in Malaysia where we have to start mass screening. We have been focused on cluster testing,” he told The Vibes.

“Now, Covid-19 has spread extensively and perhaps within the community, which I suspected happened in March and April. Maybe there are not enough test kits for us to go about it.”

Earlier today, Health Director-General Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said almost 70% of infections in Selangor has nothing to do with those returning from Sabah.

Dr Noor Hisham, on Facebook, said out of the 18 active clusters in Selangor, only eight are linked to Sabah.

He added that in March, the positivity rate averaged at 0.5% of those tested.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged governments to conduct mass screening if the positivity rates were above 10%.

However, Dr Arvinder said in April, Dr Noor Hisham announced that there was no need for mass screenings due to a low positivity rate.

He said, unfortunately Malaysia did not maintain its low rate, like Singapore.

“Singapore screened all those living in high density areas, highly vulnerable groups, such as those in poverty, the elderly, and those in cramped living conditions with six to seven people to a room, where chances of catching the virus is high.

“They put in place laws to ensure not too many people share a room, especially among foreign workers.”

To save on funds and resources on test kits, Dr Arvinder suggested pool testing where between five and 10 people were swabbed and screened with only one rapid test kit.

“If it comes up positive, they will then be tested individually. But if it’s negative, it means the entire group is deemed negative.

“So, there is some element of cost-saving on the test kits and at the same time we can conduct mass testing.”

Dr Arvinder said the strain on hospitals can also be reduced if asymptomatic cases are put in a gazetted quarantine area, while only those at high risk of developing complications are placed under hospital care. – The Vibes, October 21, 2020