MOH apologises for confusion over crowd size at Shah Alam Covid centre
The Health Ministry has apologised after initially dismissing claims of large crowds being present at the Stadium Malawati Covid-19 Assessment Centre (CAC) in Shah Alam, Selangor.
However, it still insisted that the size of the crowd was not as large as what was claimed on social media.
In a Facebook post today, it said all three photos it shared on its social media channels yesterday were taken that day, but at different times...
UPDATED 5.35PM | Further clarification from the Health Ministry regarding the situation at Stadium Malawati has been added.
The Health Ministry has apologised after initially dismissing claims of large crowds being present at the Stadium Malawati Covid-19 Assessment Centre (CAC) in Shah Alam, Selangor.
However, it still insisted that the size of the crowd was not as large as what was claimed on social media.
In a Facebook post today, it said all three photos it shared on its social media channels yesterday were taken that day, but at different times.
“The situation in the morning was quiet and under control. However, the situation started to become crowded at noon with the arrival of more Covid-19 patients for further assessment. Most Covid-19 patients that day were in Category 1 (asymptomatic) or Category 2 (mild symptoms).
“Therefore, Covid-19-positive individuals are advised to come in the morning to avoid congestions because the assessment will take some time.
“We apologise for the confusion that has caused misunderstanding to the public, especially healthcare workers in the field,” it said in the Facebook post.
Yesterday, the Health Ministry claimed that photos circulating on social media showing large crowds at the stadium were fake. The photos were accompanied with captions claiming that there were over 2,000 Covid-19 patients at the stadium.
The ministry also posted photos on social media showing most of the stadium’s seats empty, which it claimed reflected the true situation at the stadium.
The tweet was posted at 7.45pm last night and was found to have been removed several hours later, after netizens lambasted the ministry's denial with incredulity.
Asked about the deleted tweet, a Health Ministry spokesperson told Malaysiakini last night that the tweet contained “wrong information from the Selangor Health Department relating to the photos and dates”.
However, the spokesperson also said fewer than 1,500 people turned up at the CAC yesterday, not 2,000 as claimed on social media.
In the latest posting, the Health Ministry clarified that the photo showing a small attendance at the stadium was taken at 9.30am yesterday, whereas the photo showing large crowds was taken at noon on the same day.
Netizens disputed MOH’s denial
Before the ministry's tweet was deleted, Twitter user @faizol_zaman asked whether the ministry was “serious” in dismissing the claims. He claimed to be among those at the CAC yesterday and posted photos purportedly showing large crowds, both inside and outside the stadium.
“Even the staff on duty said nearly 2,000 have registered via Selangkah at the CAC...
“I cannot understand because I arrived at the CAC in Shah Alam at 7am and many were already waiting.
“Almost 100 frontliners were wearing personal protective equipment the whole day, and one (frontliner) shouted until she lost her voice to handle thousands of people, and you still call it fake?” the Twitter user asked.
He also claimed the Health Ministry’s photos may have been taken earlier in the morning when fewer people were present inside the CAC.
Another Twitter user, @lamyamim_, said he also faced large crowds at the stadium before and the situation hasn’t improved.
“Today (Thursday), a friend went to register and it is just as full,” he said.
Stadium Malawati serves as the nation's Covid-19 hotspot
The Stadium Malawati CAC serves the populous Petaling District of Selangor, which is also the district with the highest number of Covid-19 cases in the country.
It has recorded 10,872 cases in the past 14 days (at an average of 777 per day) up to yesterday, excluding imported cases.
Selangor Health Department figures show that 1,313 cases were recorded in the Petaling District yesterday, compared to 666 cases on Wednesday and 904 cases the day before.
A CAC’s functions include assessing people who have tested positive for Covid-19 and deciding whether they ought to be isolated at home, at a low-risk Covid-19 quarantine and treatment centre (PKRC), or referred to a hospital.
It also monitors Covid-19 patients who are isolated at home and removes their quarantine wristband once they are discharged from their home surveillance order.
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