MoH to ramp up screenings, tests at workplaces

 

Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah says more intensive screening and testing at workplaces is needed.

PUTRAJAYA: The health ministry is looking at stepping up Covid-19 screening and testing at workplaces, following the rise of workplace clusters in the country, health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said today.

The ministry would have discussions with employers to ensure workers were tested for Covid-19 more than once, Noor Hisham said at his daily media briefing.

“Although workplaces such as factories have temperature checks, the workers could be asymptomatic,” he said. “So we need to see how we can detect more cases and work with employers to conduct these screenings or tests a few times.”

Of the 158 active clusters in the country, 65 involve workplaces, including two new clusters identified today.

Noor Hisham said the spike in workplace cases had happened before, during the second wave of infections.

He added that most of the current infections were detected from the community, in which workers had attended events with large gatherings and brought the virus back to their office.

New clusters reported today. (CPRC, Ministry of Health pic)

For factories, Noor Hisham said many workers had tested positive because of the cramped conditions of their staff quarters, making it difficult to practise physical distancing.

Asked about complaints on slow service at district health centres, Noor Hisham urged those who had been tested there to be patient, as it took 32 to 48 hours to determine their results.

Adding that the ministry had received several requests to publish test results on the ministry website, Noor Hisham said this was not a viable option because it was important to maintain patient confidentiality.

“We cannot publish the names of people who are positive or not, because this is under the Medical Act 1971. Those involved will carry out their duty to inform individuals when their results are ready.”

PJ police chief in quarantine

Petaling Jaya district police chief Nik Ezanee Mohd Faisal is undergoing two weeks of quarantine after coming into contact with a Covid-19 positive person, his deputy Supt Ku Mashariman Ku Mahmood said today.

He said Nik Ezanee, who began his quarantine today, had taken a swab test and would undergo a second test on Nov 23. - FMT