ALOR SETAR: Another Low-Risk Quarantine and Treatment Center (PKRC) will be opened in Jitra, Kedah as the existing PKRC is unable to cope with the rising number of Covid-19 cases in the state.
State Health and Local Government Committee chairman, Datuk Dr Mohd Hayati Othman said the state Health Department (JKN) had identified a hall in Jitra deemed suitable to be used as a PKRC, but the plan had previously been postponed due to technical problems.
"There are Covid-19 cases from Jitra and Alor Setar that we had to send to the Health Ministry training centre at the Kulim PKRC (ILKKM).
"There is quite a distance between these districts and it is time-consuming. Besides, the capacity at the Kulim PKRC is also almost full because the centre also receives cases from other districts," he said.
On Wednesday last week, Dr Mohd Hayati had said that 89 per cent or 177 out of 200 beds to treat mild and asymptomatic Covid-19 patients were already in use at the PKRC in ILKKM Sungai Petani.
Meanwhile, ILKKM Kulim recorded bed usage of 55 per cent or 165 out of 300 beds provided, which brings the total number of beds used in the PKRC to 342 out of 500 beds.
Commenting further, Dr Mohd Hayati said the situation at the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital (HSB) and Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital (HSAH) Sungai Petani is also becoming more critical with beds being occupied due to the increasing number of Covid-19 patients.
This, he said included cases in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) which were also critical with fatalities on the rise.
"At the moment, if the number of beds in HSB is full, we have to send patients to HSAH. The cases from Baling and Kulim districts will also be sent to HSAH, hence I can say the situation at these two hospitals are critical.
"Covid-19 cases in Kota Setar have also risen sharply with many clusters recorded.
"Today, I was informed there are 200 people in Pendang who will undergo Covid-19 screening test at the Pendang District Health Office (PKD) as they have been identified as close contacts."
Dr Mohd Hayati, therefore advised the public not to visit friends or family on Hari Raya Aidilfitri and shake hands.
He also expressed concern over the number of clusters that could emerge during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration.
"There is no need to visit, stay at home. People now understand if we choose to close our doors and refuse to accept guests. We do not want the cases to be out of control.
"For those wearing the quarantine bracelet, stay at home. The authorities are also monitoring the activities of the public, if anyone uploads pictures of visitors and does not comply with standard operating procedures (SOP), action can be taken," he added.