58 Covid-19 cases reported at Alor Gajah Hospital

 

A total of 58 positive Covid-19 cases were detected involving the Paya Datuk cluster, comprising staff and patients at the Alor Gajah Hospital and their family members, from July 10 until yesterday.

State Health and Anti-Drugs Committee chairperson Rahmad Mariman said of the total, 16 involved staff members at the hospital, 32 were patients, and 10 were family members.

He said five deaths were reported in the cluster, involving patients aged 60 and above, and the cases were still being investigated for confirmation by the Health Ministry. 

“The Alor Gajah Hospital has started to accept and treat Covid-19 patients from two weeks ago, by providing 10 beds, and one intensive care unit (ICU) bed.

“On July 10, two Covid-19 cases, involving staff of Ward 2A at the Alor Gajah Hospital, were reported, and investigations are ongoing to determine the cause,” he said in a statement in Malacca last night.

Subsequently, Rahmad said the state Health Department, through the management of the Alor Gajah Hospital, took immediate steps to curb the spread of the disease, including by conducting detection and contact screening activities.

He said entries of patients to Wards 2A and 2B were postponed until sanitisation works were completed and the proliferation was under control.

In addition, he said all non-Covid-19 cases requiring further treatment would be referred to the Malacca Hospital and the Armed Forces Hospital at Terendak Camp.

“Mild and non-emergency cases are encouraged to seek treatment at the Alor Gajah Health Clinic, which operates until 9.30pm on working days, and nearby clinics, but emergency services still continue at the hospital,” he said.

The state government hoped that the spread of Covid-19 at the Alor Gajah Hospital could be contained quickly through control and prevention measures by its management, he added.

In the meantime, Rahmad urged all quarters to always comply with the standard operating procedures set, stay at home, and adhere to the new norms.

- Bernama