ALOR SETAR, Aug 24 — The Kedah Health Department (JKN) says it has conducted COVID-19 screenings on 275 individuals from various agencies involved in the search and rescue (SAR) operation in Yan after the Aug 18 floods.
Its director Dr Othman Warijo said, those involved from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), Armed Forces (MAF), Civil Defence Force (APM), People’s Volunteer Corps (RELA), Yan District Council and the mountain guide team had taken the rapid test kit (RTK) yesterday.
The screenings were done at the Operations Control Centre (PKOB) at Titi Hayun, Yan from 4pm to 7pm. Some 274 samples were found negative while one came back with an ‘intermediate’ result but was later tested negative after a second test was conducted at the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Setar.
“Meanwhile, 28 positive cases were identified among the victims. Three were warded at Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital, Sungai Petani; 10 cases were admitted to the COVID-19 Quarantine and Low-Risk Treatment Centre (PKRC) in Sungai Petani,” he said in a statement here today.
He said 15 more cases that were asymptomatic were told to remain at home and were being monitored by the Yan Covid-19 Assessment Centre (CAC).
“Meanwhile, a total of 41 individuals have been placed under surveillance (PUS) and were being monitored jointly by a police monitoring team together with other enforcement agencies and the Yan District Health Office (PKD).
“The population in Yan is 78,000 with some 53,500 aged 18 and above. Yesterday a total of 39,560 people received their first dose and another 23,900 residents were given their second dose,” he said.
Dr Othman also said the result of the risk evaluation by the Yan PKD, found that the risk of infection by flood waters was low and no reports of food poisoning were received.
“As a preventive move, Yan PKD had take immediate actions including revisiting the homes of COVID-19 and PUS cases to ensure that they are in good health and had physical and psychosocial health evaluation,” he said.
He added that the Yan district PKOB had made a ruling that all non-governmental bodies (NGO) involved in the volunteer work in Yan must be completely vaccinated and undergo COVID-19 screenings.
