DG: Parliament screening finds 9 positive cases, total 11

 

A total of 11 individuals connected to the ongoing Parliament sitting have so far tested positive for Covid-19, with nine cases detected through a mass screening of 1,183 individuals yesterday.

The mass screening was performed after confirmation that two Parliament staff members had tested positive earlier yesterday.

The mass screening involving all MPs and Parliament staff was conducted via RTK Antigen saliva test-kit and ended at 8.30pm last night, according to Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

"From the total screened, nine Covid-19 positive cases were detected, bringing the total number of cases detected via RTK antigen saliva test kit to 10 (one in the afternoon, nine in the evening).

"Two of the positive cases displayed mild symptoms while the other eight were asymptomatic," he said.

The one afternoon case was discovered after the individual showed symptoms of coughing.

Noor Hisham added that the Health Office will be following up with the 10 positive Covid-19 cases.

Meanwhile, the one other case detected at a health facility yesterday involved a Parliament officer on duty from July 26 to 28, where the individual went to get tested after showing symptoms of cough and runny nose.

Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah

Referring to the two initial cases, Noor Hisham said an investigation found no links to any previous positive cases detected through another mass screening conducted last Friday, three days before the start of this Parliament sitting.

"Both of these cases also tested negative for Covid-19 when they were screened before starting duties in Parliament," he said, adding that initial risk assessment found the duo had been in several locations around the building.

The Dewan Rakyat sitting was postponed to Monday after at least four cases were found as of 5pm yesterday.

Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker Rashid Hasnon, who adjourned the House to facilitate the screening process, urged all those who attended Parliament from Monday to Wednesday but were not present yesterday, to urgently get tested at their nearest screening facility. - Mkini