[ad_1]
PUTRAJAYA: Approximately 53% of Covid-19 cases among healthcare workers have been infected by their own colleagues, says Tan Sri Dr. Noor Hisham Abdullah (Photo).
Expressing his concerns, the director general of Health said that cases were increasing among leaders of the public and private sectors.
Dr Noor Hisham said the situation worsened with Sungai’s group in Kedah and Perlis, centered on a private medical center with health workers accounting for the majority of cases.
“This is concerning because leaders play a role as the backbone of the country’s health system.
“Our research showed that more than half of the cases among healthcare workers come from themselves.
“Approximately 22% of the cases are community infections, while 17% are due to the management of Covid-19 patients with no confirmed states.
“But none of the cases involving ministry health workers are due to the handling of Covid-19 positive patients in wards or intensive care units,” he said in a statement.
Sungai’s group saw an additional 13 cases yesterday, bringing the total to 39.
The index case, a 39-year-old healthcare worker at a private medical facility, tested positive on September 5.
On August 30, he developed symptoms but did not immediately seek immediate medical treatment, causing the disease to spread rapidly among his colleagues and family.
Dr. Noor Hisham said that it is crucial that healthcare workers take preventive measures at work and also practice the new rules in their homes or public places.
“Physical distancing in the workplace must be applied at all times, be it between colleagues or in treating patients.
“Cleaning common spaces like nurses’ counters, food pantries, prayer areas and staff restrooms is also imperative,” he said.
Dr. Noor Hisham said that three-layer surgical masks and personal protective equipment should be worn during clinical procedures and when dealing with Covid-19 patients.
He said the 13 infections in Sungai’s group, all in Kedah, were among the 24 new cases reported.
There were also three other cases in Kedah, including one from the Tawar and Telaga groups.
The other case was detected from a Covid-19 test in people with symptoms at Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Setar.
There are also six imported cases from Bangladesh (two), China, Indonesia, South Korea, and Singapore.
[ad_2]
