Don't visit overwhelmed CACs, mild Covid-19 patients told

 

The Greater Klang Valley special task force (GKVSTF) has asked Covid-19 patients with no or mild symptoms to stop visiting the Covid-19 Assessment Centres (CACs).

This was part of new measures to relieve pressure on the CAC which were overwhelmed by a surge of Covid-19 cases in the region.

Instead, GKVSTF chief Dr Chong Chee Kheong said virtual CACs have been set up to address the needs of these less serious Covid-19 patients.

The CACs are intended to assess Covid-19 patients to determine whether they should be sent home for self-isolation, put in Covid-19 Quarantine and Low-Risk Treatment Centre (PKPC) or hospitalised.

"All Covid-19 patients in the Greater Klang Valley who are experiencing mild or no symptoms are requested not to visit the CAC and to undergo home isolation and remote surveillance instead," he said.

Chong said this category of Covid-19 patients are required to report their positive Covid-19 test on the MySejahtera application to receive a digital home surveillance order (HSO).

"The digital HSO also serves as a reminder that they are still legally under the HSO although they do not wear a pink tag," he said.

While under home isolation, he said they are required to complete the home assessment tool in the MySejahtera application on a daily basis.

"The patient’s self-assessments will be monitored through the Virtual CAC Management Module within the e-Covid-19 system.

"They will be contacted by the CAC call centre should the need arise.

"Patients who are required to visit the nearest CAC for a clinical assessment will be notified via the MySejahtera application or call centre," he said.

Chong added that patients under home quarantine who need help may contact the CAC call centre at 03-7723 9299 (8am-9pm) or the Crisis Preparedness & Response Centre (CPRC) hotline at 03-7723 9300 (8am-12am).

"In the event of worsening symptoms, patients should seek immediate care at the nearest hospital instead of waiting for a call from virtual CAC," he said.

Chong said the measure will help reduce congestion at physical CACs, improve patient waiting time and ensure early monitoring for all Covid-19 patients.

"The virtual CAC is part of the e-Covid-19 system responsible for monitoring patient conditions which enables easy and quick referrals for patients experiencing worsening symptoms to the nearest CAC or hospital.

"Furthermore, this innovative pathway saves a critical amount of time in identifying and reporting new Covid-19 positive cases," he said.

Furthermore, he said close contacts of Covid-19 patients are no longer required to get tested unless they are showing symptoms.

However, he said that they must still remain under home quarantine.

The GKVSTF was set up in response to the worsening Covid-19 situation in the Klang Valley. - Mkini