CORONAVIRUS | The are no coronavirus cases in Penang, state executive councillor on health Dr Afif Bahardin confirmed today.
He dismissed the latest claim that a person infected by the virus was detected at an apartment in George Town.
The claim went viral via Whatsapp since yesterday.
"I have tweeted to deny the claim. Please do not spread such fake news. There are no cases in Penang," Afif (above) said during a press conference at the Penang International Airport in Bayan Lepas.
"It appears that fake news via Whatsapp are spreading faster than the virus," he added.
Afif said there was no reason why the State Health Department would not update the public if there were a case.
"We want the public to get involved as well. There is no need to create panic," said PKR's Seberang Jaya assemblyperson.
Asked about Penang's preparedness to tackle the issue, Afif claimed that they were 100 percent "hands-on, operational and on-going" in monitoring and handling the situation.
Accompanying Afif at the press conference were State Health director Dr Asmayani Khalid and Dr Izani Uzair, who is Penang international entry point designated health officer.
Reporters were given a tour of the quarantine room and thermal scanners at the entry points, where passengers from a Taipei flight were screened, before proceeding to the passport control and baggage areas, and arrival gate.
Izani also briefed the media on the standard operating procedure involving screening on board of aircraft passengers and cabin crew from China suspected of the coronavirus infection.
He said Penang was focussing on three entry points - Penang Airport, Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal and Butterworth Port - to monitor entry of tourists.
Since two days ago (Jan 26 and 27), 8,967 tourists have been screened by the airport.
As of this morning, the Health Ministry had confirmed four coronavirus cases in Malaysia.
According to a Bernama report, Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said that if any travellers were suspected of having the infection, they would be checked at health screening rooms and referred to the medical team handling infectious diseases.
He was then referring to Hospital Sultanah Aminah in Johor Bahru. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.