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IPOH: Taiping is now classified as a red zone after the Kamunting Correctional Center saw an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases.
Based on an infographic on the Facebook page of the Perak Health Department, the district has registered 77 positive cases in the last 14 days.
In its post, the department said 48 of the 52 new cases Thursday were from the correctional facility.
The 48 cases involved male inmates, ages 35 to 65.
The correctional facility is the latest detention facility to join a list of other similar institutions in dealing with Covid-19 outbreaks.
The others are Alor Setar Prison, Penang Pretrial Prison, Lahad Datu Police Station Dungeon, and Tawau Prison.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, however, said that it was not necessary to have an enhanced motion control order (MCO) at the correctional facility, which is also known as the Batu group, for now, although the Department of Prisons had previously issued a statement to indicate that there would be one.
“They were all tested for Covid-19 on October 3 after coming into close contact with one of the positive patients who had traveled to Alor Setar prison on September 27 and 28.
“The test results came back negative, but on October 10, one of the prisoners showed symptoms of fever and received treatment at the center.
“On October 13, a second test was carried out and the result was positive,” said the Perak Health Department.
The Department of Prisons enforced the improved MCO at the facility for two weeks until October 29.
In a statement issued yesterday, its spokesperson said that the Covid-19 Prevention Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) would apply throughout the period.
“Movements into and out of the facilities will be tightened, including conditional movement restrictions for personnel.
“Visits from relatives, lawyers, non-governmental organizations and outsiders will not be allowed,” the spokesman said.
“Activities such as courses, sports, recreation and celebrations in the center and neighborhoods are also prohibited.
“A total blockade will be implemented in the blocks that house prisoners who are positive for Covid-19,” he added.
Faizal said it was not necessary to place the correctional facility under the enhanced MCO.
He said the improved MCO was not necessary as the outbreak in the center was under control, following a meeting with the state safety committee yesterday.
“It only involved one block and the center will have to tighten its procedures to reduce the risk of infection among its officers and their respective families,” he said in a statement.
He said center staff should wear personal protective equipment when on duty.
Faizal said they were trying to break the chain of the outbreak.
“We will make sure that no member of the center’s staff has contact with the detainees. Movement involving detainees will also be stopped to prevent new outbreaks, ”he added.
He also said that there were no new cases in this group.
“People who live around Kamunting and Taiping are advised not to panic and spread unverified information.
“The state also urges its people to continue to practice the discipline of the new standard to break the Covid-19 chain in the community,” he added.
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