Kota Kinabalu: The State Health Department recorded 11 new Covid-19 cases on Saturday, bringing the figure to 26 positive cases to date. Many of the cases are believed linked to a Tabligh (Muslim movement) gathering that took place in Selangor recently.
The makes Sabah the state with the highest number of positive Covid-19 cases among the Tabligh attendees, followed by Negeri Sembilan with 11 cases, Sarawak (nine), five respectively in Johor, Melaka, Selangor and Penang.
The latest statistics were provided by Health Director-General Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah in a statement, on Saturday.
Kelantan had three positive cases, while Perak, Labuan, Pahang, Kedah, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya recorded two positive cases each, while Perlis recorded one.
On Friday, the Department recorded 14 positive cases in Sabah, according to State Health Director, Datuk Dr Christina Rundi.
Dr Rundi in a statement, here, Saturday, assured that the Department will intensify efforts to trace contacts actively and passively on the field, while urging the public to give their full support to the Department.
She said they have received several complaints about unpleasant attitude from certain people towards those suspected or confirmed to have contracted the disease.
The Department hopes such attitude would stop immediately as this may cause those with symptoms from not coming for examinations and further complicate the control efforts.
In view of the Covid-19 outbreak in Sabah, several changes in hospital operations have also been effected.
This includes the opening of Fever Screening Centres in every hospital to enable those with symptoms or travel history to countries with Covid-19 outbreaks to be examined.
In addition, six Covid-19 wards have also been opened at special hospitals namely, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Sabah Women and Children Hospital in Likas, Duchess of Kent Hospital in Sandakan, Tawau Hospital, Lahad Datu Hospital and Keningau Hospital.
Other changes include delay in elective surgery at specialist hospitals to reduce patient entry and prevent the spread of Covid-19. The hospitals hope all patients involved understand the need for the changes.
However, emergency surgeries will still continue. There will also be restriction on visitors to hospitals to prevent the spread of the infection in hospitals.
Patients with long-term prescriptions are encouraged to take follow-up medication through pharmacy services as described in Appendix A.
Those wanting more information may contact the Department’s Pharmacy Services Division at 088-257258 / 088- 210963.
Blood donation would be continued to ensure that the hospital’s blood supply is not affected by the outbreak.
Blood donation drives which involves not more than 50 donors can be carried out by taking appropriate precautions.
Additionally, blood donors are encouraged to go directly to any Hospital Blood Bank across the State. Precautionary measures will be taken during the blood donation process.
The Department also advised the public to practise high levels of hygiene such as washing ones hands regularly with soap, drink enough water to ensure good hydration, to avoid holding meetings or event that involve the public, to refrain from shaking hands or touching if symptoms (fever, cough, sneeze, shortness of breath) is present.
The public is also advised against visiting public places to reduce the spread of the disease, to seek immediate treatment should they have symptoms of fever, cough or difficulty breathing.
They are also advised to obtain verified information through the Ministry of Health’s website at moh.gov.my.
Meanwhile, private medical centres in the State have effected their own measures which include fever screening of everyone before they enter the facility and placing green (no fever) or red (fever) stickers on their wrists.
All consultants now only attend to only pre-booked visits by patients rather than adhoc. This is to ensure that they do not get exposed to the virus that may render them unable to carry out urgent tasks like operations.
