Covid-19: New Cluster Involving Foreigners Detected At Immigration Dept Custody Depot In Bukit Jalil
Subscribe to our new Telegram channel for the latest updates on COVID-19 and other issues.
A new Covid-19 cluster has been detected at the Immigration Department’s custody depot in Bukit Jalil. The 35 new positive cases involve non-Malaysians, including 17 Myanmar citizens, 15 Indian nationals, one Sri Lankan, one Bangladeshi and one Egyptian.
While the source of the infection is still being investigated, the ministry has provided health services at all custody depots and steps have since been taken to control and prevent further spread of the infection at the affected depot, including decontamination works, health education on self-cleanliness and social distancing.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah told the press during his daily Covid-19 briefing on 21 May 2020 that the ministry had collected samples from 645 people. Aside from the 35 positive cases, 400 individuals tested negative and 210 individuals are still waiting for their results.
On top of this, the ministry has also provided treatment for light ailments, early medical emergencies and examination of pregnant women, babies, and children at the depot, including giving immunisations.
Meanwhile, any cases that required emergency treatment, such as expectant mothers, will be referred to the nearest public hospital. And all these services were given for free.
To fully detect any Covid-19 cases, the ministry via the respective district health departments will continue with a targeted approach, which includes investigating, close contact tracing, and risk assessment by the relevant authorities.
Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah
Dr Noor Hisham explained that symptomatic screening and sample collection will also be carried out to detect active cases. Any individuals that test positive will be isolated and treated in hospitals, while their close contacts will be monitored as per the Prevention and Control of Infection Diseases Act 1988.
He added that the ministry will continue to cooperate with the Immigration Department, the police and other relevant authorities to manage Covid-19 cases in custody depots.
For more updates on Covid-19, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!
