According to Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, a total of 138 healthcare workers from the Ministry of Health (MOH) have been tested positive for Covid-19 as of noon Thursday (Apr 2). However, he said none of those workers was infected due to the handling of patients at Covid-19 wards or intensive care unit (ICU).
Breakdown of the 138 cases are as follow:
- 58 cases (42%) were linked to wedding receptions attended by individuals who also attended the tabligh gathering in Sri Petaling.
- 14 cases (10.1%) were linked to Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) patients who were symptomatic but were not aware or did not inform the healthcare workers of their status.
- 2 cases did not inform that they had attended the tabligh gathering in Sri Petaling.
- 9 cases were related to contact with family members who were tested positive.
- 6 cases had a history of travelling abroad.
- 4 cases had contact with Covid-19 positive friends.
- 3 cases were due to exposure during health screenings.
- 42 cases where sources of the infection are still being investigated.
He said all healthcare professionals and frontliners, including private medical practitioners and non-governmental organisations, who were involved in treating Covid-19 patients need to use the face masks and personal protective equipment (PPE) as well as to take other precautionary measures to avoid infection, especially when carrying out clinical procedures.
“The MOH also urged people who came for treatment to honestly give the necessary information about any close contact they had with Covid-19 positive case, their attendance at any mass gatherings or overseas trip, ” he added.
Source : The Star