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PUTRAJAYA: The Ministry of Health has expressed concern about the increase in Covid-19 cases among public and private sector leaders.
Health Director General Tan Sri Dr. Noor Hisham Abdullah said that 53% of positive cases among healthcare workers were transmitted by their own colleagues.
This is exacerbated by Sungai’s group in Kedah and Perlis, which involves a private medical center with health workers making up the majority of cases.
“This situation is worrying because they (the front-line) play an important role as the backbone of the country’s health system.
“Our investigations reveal that the majority of positive Covid-19 cases among healthcare workers come from themselves.
“This contributes to approximately 53% of the cases involving healthcare workers, which translates to more than half.
“Approximately 22% of the cases are community infections, while 17% come from the management of Covid-19 patients whose status has not yet been confirmed.
“However, none of the cases involving the ministry’s health workers is due to the management of Covid-19 positive patients in wards or intensive care units (ICUs),” said Dr. Noor Hisham in a statement. on Wednesday.
He stressed that it is important that health workers always practice Covid-19 preventive measures at work, including physical distancing.
“Physical distancing in the workplace must be applied at all times, be it with colleagues or treating patients. This applies to cleaning common spaces such as nurse’s counters, food pantries, prayer areas and staff restrooms, ”she said.
Dr Noor Hisham said that wearing 3-layer surgical masks at all times was vital, while personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn during clinical procedures and when dealing with Covid-19 patients.
Outside of work, he said healthcare workers should also practice the new regulations, as well as standard operating procedures (SOPs), both at home and in public places.
Sungai’s group saw an additional 13 confirmed cases on Wednesday, bringing their total to 39.
The confirmed cases were distributed in Kedah (38) and Perlis (one).
Dr Noor Hisham said that a total of 1,091 close contacts in Kedah, Penang and Perlis have been examined under the group so far.
A total of 433 people have tested negative, while 619 people are still waiting for their results.
The index case is a 39-year-old healthcare worker at a private medical facility who tested positive for Covid-19 on September 5.
The woman had developed symptoms on August 30, but did not seek medical attention at the time.
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