COVID-19 instances are expected to surge in Malaysia as a result of the floods

[ASEAN NOW Content Team]

 

Following the country's worst flooding in years, Malaysian health officials expect a surge in COVID-19 cases at various relief centres, according to Health Minister Khairy Jamaludin (Dec 20).

Mr Khairy warned of an impending surge in COVID-19 infections during a news briefing in parliament, citing the relief centres as high-risk areas where public health precautions could not be fully implemented and complied with.

 

"During floods, the priority is to save flood victims, and sometimes it cannot be helped," Mr Khairy said, as quoted by Bernama. "Some things that should be done, such public health precautions, cannot be implemented or comply with."

According to the minister, 181 COVID-19 cases had been found during screening by health authorities at various relief centres as of 11 a.m. on Monday.

The biggest number of cases were reported in two states: Selangor (117) and Pahang (52).

Positive instances were reported in Kelantan and Kuala Lumpur, with four to six cases each, and one case each in Negeri Sembilan and Melaka.

 

Mr Khairy stated that the majority of people afflicted were asymptomatic or had moderate symptoms, and that they had all been moved to hospitals, quarantine and treatment centres, or other COVID-19-specific facilities.

 

A total of 206 flood victims were identified as close contacts of COVID-19 positive individuals and were sent to designated relief centres and hospitals.

Mr Khairy stated that health officials should be prepared for an upsurge in COVID-19 cases.

He stated that the public health system had been geared up to accommodate additional patients as a result of the floods.

Mr Khairy added that health ministry staff on the ground would continue to examine victims and isolate those who tested positive for COVID-19, and that medical supplies such as face masks and sanitizers would be sent to all rescue centres.

 

Beginning late Friday, heavy rains hammered Peninsular Malaysia's west coast, causing flooding in multiple provinces and displacing tens of thousands of people.

At least eight persons are said to have died.

According to Bernama, the number of flood victims in Selangor and Pahang has continued to rise, with more than 61,000 people being evacuated to rescue centres.

As of 10 a.m. in Selangor, approximately 32,000 evacuees had been accommodated in 162 rescue centres.

According to Bernama, the Social Welfare Department's InfoBencana application revealed that 9,181 persons were seeking shelter at 242 relief centres across Pahang.

Perak, Negeri Sembilan, Kelantan, Terengganu, and Melaka were also affected.

 

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