Staff member of hospital in Perlis tests positive for Covid-19

The staff member of Tuanku Fauziah Hospital in Kangar was warded on March 16 for pneumonia and dehydration, but tested positive for Covid-19 yesterday. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: The health ministry this evening confirmed that a staff member of the Tuanku Fauziah Hospital in Kangar, Perlis, had tested positive for Covid-19.

Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the victim was in Turkey and had returned to Malaysia on March 8.

The victim was warded on March 16 for pneumonia and dehydration but tested positive for Covid-19 yesterday.

“The hospital has identified the victim’s close contacts and is screening them and their families for Covid-19,” he said in a statement.

The hospital, Noor said, had taken measures to ensure its operations are not affected.

Earlier today, the health ministry said another 110 new Covid-19 cases were recorded, bringing the total number of patients so far to 900.

Twenty patients are currently warded in the intensive care unit (ICU). Fifteen patients have recovered and have been discharged, bringing their total to 75. - FMT