Health DG confirms M'sian man at religious gathering also down with Covid-19
CORONAVIRUS | Health Ministry director-general Noor Hisham Abdullah has confirmed that a Malaysian man who attended a religious gathering at Sri Petaling mosque in Kuala Lumpur was tested positive for Covid-19 in Kuantan.
The event, attended by some 10,000 over five days, was the same one attended by a 53-year-old Bruneian man who was later confirmed to be positive with Covid-19 upon returning home, becoming Brunei's first Covid-19 case.
CORONAVIRUS | Health Ministry director-general Noor Hisham Abdullah has confirmed that a Malaysian man who attended a religious gathering at Sri Petaling mosque in Kuala Lumpur was tested positive for Covid-19 in Kuantan.
The event, attended by some 10,000 over five days, was the same one attended by a 53-year-old Bruneian man who was later confirmed to be positive with Covid-19 upon returning home, becoming Brunei's first Covid-19 case.
Noor Hisham said the 60-year-old, who was among the 20 new Covid-19 cases today, was traced back to the "ijtimak tabligh" religious gathering.
"He had a history of attending the 'ijtimak tabligh' at Sri Petaling mosque, Kuala Lumpur for three days, from Feb 28 to March 1.
"He began to have fever, cough and runny nose on March 4 and by March 8 started to experience shortness of breath and was admitted to Bentong Hospital on the same day.
"He was then referred to Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital in Kuantan on March 9. a Covid-19 test on the case was confirmed positive on March 10.
"He has been placed in an isolation ward and is receiving treatment," Noor Hisham said.
The man is referred to as Patient 131.
Noor Hisham (above) urged everyone who has attended the event to immediately contact their district health department to help contain the spread of the coronavirus.
Suhakam commissioner down with Covid-19
In a related development, Suhakam confirmed that one of its members has been infected by Covid-19.
Malaysiakini understands that the patient is a Suhakam commissioner who was involved in the inquiry into the disappearance of Joshua and Ruth Hilmy.
The hearing began on March 2 but was abruptly postponed on March 5.
"We are unable to confirm if the member was already infected as early as March 2, but Suhakam is taking steps to identify individuals who may have had close contact with the infected member, and making arrangements for them to undergo necessary testing.
"The commission wishes to advise members of the public who had visited or interacted with our officers from March 2 onwards, could have been exposed to the virus, small as the possibility maybe.
"Do approach any district health department for further testing should you develop symptoms or feel unwell," it said.
It also announced that Suhakam's headquarters at Menara TH Perdana, Kuala Lumpur will be closed from March 11 to 13 and employees are asked to work from home.
"Suhakam is also working closely with the management of TH Perdana Building and Health Ministry to conduct thorough disinfection of its premises," it said.
As of noon today, Malaysia has recorded a total of 149 Covid-19 cases with 26 recoveries.
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