It is with astonishment to see and hear the level of “detailed news” circulating yesterday in Penang with regards to the Covid-19 cases, in particular cases 9173 and 9174.
The “news” was so explicit, with details of where the family members of these two patients earn their living from the business they were running. It had to take the bold step by the State Assemblyman for Batu Lanchang, YB Ong Ah Teong, to debunk at least the “news” affecting the person in his constituency.
Time for some real facts of the number of Covid-19 cases in Penang island so far. It all started with case 9,129 admitted into Adventist Hospital on 7/8 for leg wound infection (not knowing she was infected). Only on 11/8 when her brother-in-law, case 9113, the index case of the Tawar Cluster was found positive, then Kedah Health Officer informed Adventist on 12/8.
By then, there was a parallel case 9149 who “visited 9113 in a private hospital”, which actually was the Teluk Kumbar case reported on 14/8, triggering immediate firm steps by the MBPP.
Upon contact tracing of 9129, there were two more cases — 9173 and 9174 — who were her fellow patients in Adventist.
At this juncture, it is good to be aware that ALL 59 Adventist Hospital medical staff, who went through self-imposed home quarantine, were negative on first testing. I am sure they would do one more at the end of the 14-day quarantine period.
Back to cases 9173 and 9174 — sadly the window period from 7/8 till at least 11/8 was enough to have their visitors infected; namely cases 9212 (earlier KKM infographic had typo of 9112), and 9210 and 9211 respectively. All this was reported on 17/8, yesterday.
And so we will wait with bated breath…the updates from KKM at 5pm, today, 18/8.
Let’s stay safe and stay vigilant with MSS; Masking, Social distancing & Sanitising.
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