Discharge of Covid-19 patients
KUCHING: The Ministry of Health (MOH) has updated its standard operating procedure (SOP) for the discharge of Covid-19 patients only upon fulfilling certain criteria.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said that patients with symptoms would need to undergo at least three days (72 hours) of recovery from fever (without the use of fever medication) and respiratory symptoms (such as cough and breathing difficulties).
He said they would have to have experienced these improvements with at least 14 days passing since their symptoms started.
For patients without symptoms, 14 days would need to have passed since the date of positive Covid-19 test diagnosis, with the assumption that they have not experienced any symptom after their positive test.
“A Covid-19 test is not required if the patient has been discharged. If the patient still needs further treatment, he can be transferred to a ward other than the Covid-19 Care Pathway,” he said at the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) Covid-19 daily update press conference yesterday (July 21).
Meanwhile, he disclosed that 53 construction sites had been identified in Miri to undergo reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rT-PCR) tests.
“A total of 602 samples have been taken for rT-PCR testing. Of these 602 samples, 425 are local workers and 177 are foreign workers with valid permits from Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Philippines.
“Of these 602 rT-PCR samples, 596 were negative – 419 local workers and 177 foreign workers with valid permits – while six local workers’ samples are still pending results,” said Uggah, who is also SDMC chairman.
He said that 2,327 premises were surveyed on Tuesday for recovery movement control order (RMCO) compliance. They were supermarkets (419), restaurants (477), factories (30), banks (205), government offices (72), hawkers (31), public markets (101), places of worship (104), recreational places (72), construction sites (32), and others (784).
According to him, the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) had fined a Chinese man at Musik Café Bistro in Miri for operating overtime.
He added that the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) had arrested undocumented Indonesian immigrants and seized six mobile phones and personal belongings valued at RM4, 550.19 at Biawak Lundu.
“The case was brought to IPD Lundu for further action,” he said.
On Op Benteng, he said that there were six roadblocks in five districts on Tuesday, namely, two in Lundu and one each in Bau, Serian, Sri Aman, and Lubok Antu. At these roadblocks 1,254 vehicles were checked.
“To the public who wish to make complaints with regard to enquiries and non-compliance with the SOPs, the number 016-239 1111 can be contacted and all complaints will be monitored by the Ministry of Local Government and Housing,” said Uggah, urging the public to cooperate.
