Road accident in Johor leads to Covid-19 discovery

CORONAVIRUS | An 86-year-old man discovered he was infected with Covid-19 in an unusual way - through a road accident.

The man got into an accident on May 21 and was sent to the hospital, where health care workers decided to test him for Covid-19 after observing that he had symptoms.

He had developed a cough since May 19 and a fever on the day of the accident.

Johor exco R Vidyananthan, who is in charge of health and environment, said the state Health Department officially confirmed the infection last night.

"The 86-year-old man was admitted into the hospital due to a motorcycle accident.

"As he showed symptoms of fever and cough, routine Covid-19 screening was conducted and he was confirmed to be positive," Vidyananthan (photo) said in a statement.

The man did not come in contact with any known Covid-19 patient and had only left his home to purchase groceries.

He is now being treated at the Enche' Besar Hajjah Khalsom Hospital in Kluang.

As of yesterday, Johor had a total of 670 Covid-19 cases, 74 of which are still active.

Vidyananthan, who is also the Kahang assemblyperson, said 42 people who had close contact with the victim have been identified.

"They have been given a 14-day quarantine order," he said.

Vidyananthan added that all 42 were also given a swab test and the lab results are still pending. 

Simpang Renggam, within the Kluang district, was previously under an enhanced movement control order (MCO) following a spike in Covid-19 cases.

However, the lockdown on the two villages there, Kampung Dato’ Ibrahim Majid dan Bandar Baharu Dato’ Ibrahim Majid, were lifted on April 28 after no new cases were reported.

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