THE Health Ministry (MOH) must clarify why there are differing definitions of “close contact” in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, amidst rising cases in factories.
MOH earlier claimed that Malaysia’s definition of “close contact” was based on World Health Organisation (WHO) standards, however, that does not seem to be the case, according to DAP state assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran.
“It would be much appreciated if MOH could clarify the matter as soon as possible, to curb the outbreak that we are facing in the current wave of infections,” the Bukit Gasing MP pointed out in a media statement.
He cited the outbreak at Top Glove Malaysia on Nov 26 whereby out of the 1,884 cases that was recorded nationwide, 1,067 cases came from Top Glove’s facility in Klang, Selangor.
“How did it spread so fast to so many people in a short time if close contact tracing and constant testing were done in the factory itself?” he asked.
“The cases should not have surged so high that it led to the Teratai cluster which accounted for more than half of the 2,188 nationwide cases (on Nov 24) if contact tracing and close contact tracing was done adequately as currently prescribed by MOH.”
Based on the WHO website “a contact is defined as anyone who had direct contact or was within one metre for at least 15 minutes with a person infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, even if the person with the confirmed infection did not have symptoms”.
Rajiv also urged to Government to open-up mass testing to everyone, thus breaking the chain of infection earlier.
“The Health Ministry should adopt an ‘anyone who wants to get tested, should be tested’ policy – where those who declare themselves to a contact at any testing facility should be tested immediately without delay,” he added. – Dec 16, 2020
