Malaysia's top hammer thrower infected with Covid-19
CORONAVIRUS | National athlete Jackie Wong, the country's record holder for hammer throwing, has been infected with Covid-19.
Youth and Sports Minister Reezal Merican Naina Merican confirmed that the 28-year-old was tested positive.。。
CORONAVIRUS | National athlete Jackie Wong, the country's record holder for hammer throwing, has been infected with Covid-19.
Youth and Sports Minister Reezal Merican Naina Merican confirmed that the 28-year-old was tested positive.
He said Jackie (above) was believed to have caught the infection from his father. His father is Sarikei MP Wong Ling Biu, who was tested positive for Covid-19 on March 14.
"The athlete returned to Sarawak on March 11 and has been quarantined at Sibu Hospital," he said in a statement.
Reezal Merican said as an immediate measure, he has instructed the temporary closure of all National Sports Council and National Sports Institute facilities which Jackie had been to.
He said the facilities will be sanitised and will take two to three days.
"With cooperation, advice and direction from the Health Ministry, all athletes, trainers and officers who have been in close contact with the athlete will be isolated.
He said they have been asked to self-quarantine and will undergo screening based on the Health Ministry's advice.
Jackie holds the national hammer throwing record of 67.01 metres. He has broken the record 17 times.
Meanwhile, the National Library of Malaysia announced that it is temporarily closing several libraries as a precaution.
They are the public library at Bukit Damansara and community libraries at UTC Keramat, AU Setiawangsa, Bandar Mahkota Cheras and Bukit Jelutong, Shah Alam.
It added that the library counters at the national library along Jalan Tun Razak will also be closed.
Furthermore, it said any events by the national library scheduled between March and April are postponed.
However, it said that its digital service can still be accessed via www.u-pustaka.gov.my.
Track Covid-19 outbreak in Malaysia here.
