Travellers are seen wearing surgical masks upon arrival at Kuching International Airport – Photo by Chimon Upon.
KUCHING: The Ministry of Health (MoH) is taking precautionary steps in preventing the outbreak of the Wuhan Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in Malaysia.
According to Deputy Health Minister Dr Lee Boon Chye, travellers who returned from China within the past two weeks are to seek immediate treatment at the hospital if they show symptoms such as flu.
“All these travellers from Wuhan or from China – if they have a fever or if they have some suspected lung infection, they are deemed as Patient-Under-Investigation (PUI).
“In ensuring that they did not contract the virus, we will isolate them in special wards in the hospitals, at the same time the healthcare workers should also take necessary precaution so that they will not contract the virus,” he said when contacted by The Borneo Post today.
The Ministry of Health recently issued a guideline outlining the action plan to be taken by government hospitals in handling those suspected to contract the virus.
The guideline suggested strict hand hygiene to be practiced by all staffs and the patient will be provided with a surgical mask.
“Personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn at all times and ensure proper disposal of the PPE after the encounter. Decontamination of the isolation area and equipment used should also be done,” according to the guideline.
57 designated hospitals nationwide has been assigned to screen the patients suspected of 2019-nCoV.
In Sarawak, five hospitals has been designated for this purpose – including Sarawak General Hospital in Kuching, Miri Hospital, Bintulu Hospital, Sibu Hospital and Sarikei Hospital – while PUI and patients confirmed to have contracted the virus will be admitted to the former four.
Meanwhile, Dr Lee has called on the general public to observe personal hygiene, wear surgical masks, and avoid going to public places if they are showing the symptoms.
He also pointed out that there is no need for one to use a N95 face mask as the surgical mask and 3-ply mask would do.
“The purpose of the mask is not to block off the virus – it is to block out the secretion and the saliva so that it would not spread to others,” he added.