KUALA LUMPUR – Those under home quarantine will use electronic trackers as part of a pilot project by the Health Ministry.
Greater Klang Valley Task Force chairman Datuk Dr Chong Chee Kheong said these trackers are first given to 1,000 non-citizens allowed to undergo such self-isolation upon their arrival in the country.
In a press conference today, he said the project aims to aid the ministry in monitoring not only non-citizens, but also those who have come into close contact with Covid-19 patients.
It applies to patients in Categories 1 and 2 as well.
Dr Chong said the project will be outsourced to a private company.
“Through this system, those individuals can be monitored more effectively. At the same time, information from these individuals can be obtained and recorded digitally.
“As of now, MoH has used (at least 1,000 of) these tracking devices on non-citizens from overseas who have received permission to quarantine at home.
“Monitoring for violations will be carried out by MoH with the help of police.
“A full procurement of 30,000 units will be done.”
He said the existing hospital bed capacity for coronavirus patients in the Klang Valley can handle a surge in cases for only up to two weeks.
“This is very worrying because we need to prepare an extra 200 to 300 beds to accommodate Covid-19 patients.
“Since the task force was established a month ago, we have added beds, from 6,000 to 8,000. However, we will have to continuously add beds if cases do not go down.
“The existing capacity can accommodate (patients) for (another) two weeks.”
The pilot project follows the relaxation of the standard operating procedures announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin last week.
Fully vaccinated Malaysians and non-citizens returning from overseas are allowed to quarantine at home upon their arrival. – The Vibes, August 13, 2021
