KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 17 — The Selangor state health department (JKNS) confirmed today that patients and 50 health workers at Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah (HTAR) Klang have been infected with Covid-19.
JKNS, which is under the Ministry of Health (MOH), however did not state how many patients at the government hospital had contracted the coronavirus.
“Investigations by a team from JKNS and HTAR could not identify the source of infection of the affected health workers, whether it occurred before patients were admitted into hospital or when patients were going through a 14-day incubation period,” JKNS director Dr Sha’ari Ngadiman said in a statement.
“However, the situation is under control,” he stressed. “The management of patient treatment at HTAR is still ongoing and under control.”
Dr Sha’ari noted that Klang, Selangor, is a red Covid-19 zone and the rise of severe acute respiratory infection cases at HTAR could have caused an increase in coronavirus cases.
“Hospital management is always vigilant and ensures constant compliance with standard operating procedures and wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).”
He said the 50 infected HTAR health workers are currently being treated at Sungai Buloh Hospital. All close contacts to the confirmed cases, including patients, have been swabbed for Covid-19 and placed under home surveillance.
“The public is advised not to visit the hospital if there is no pressing business.”
JKNS’ statement came after Malaysiakini reported earlier today that at least 40 HTAR staff and more than 50 warded patients have been infected with Covid-19 over the past three weeks. The infected patients were reportedly hospitalised at the MOH facility for conditions unrelated to Covid-19 and had tested negative for the virus upon admission, but showed symptoms of the disease later.
