Coronavirus: All 64 international ports of entry to M'sia being monitored, says Dr Dzul

PETALING JAYA: All 64 international ports of entry across the country are being monitored for any signs of the Wuhan coronavirus.

In a statement Tuesday (Jan 28), Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr

Dzulkefly Ahmad said that monitoring at entry points were being conducted in three ways; thermal imaging scans, referrals from the Immigration Department, and through information bunting.

"At this time, there are 54 thermal scanners at several main international ports of entry. Any traveler found with a fever will be checked by paramedics for confirmation.

"Any travel history to China in the last two weeks will be obtained and if a traveler has been confirmed as a 'Patient-Under-Investigation (PUI)', they will be referred to the hospital for further treatment," he said.

PUIs would also be transported in special ambulances, under escort by trained professionals.

"For those that do not fit the criteria of a PUI, they will be given a Home Assessment Tool and be placed under 'Home Surveillance' for 14 days.

"Those that show no symptoms will be given a Health Alert Card and will be advised to seek treatment if they start having fever, or difficulty in breathing within 14 days of their arrival. They are also to bring their cards to medical officers when seeking treatment,"he added.

Currently, the lab results of three PUIs, all Chinese citizens, are still pending, he said.

"Out of all 65 cases of PUIs, one had been tested positive for the virus as announced before. At the same time, 61 PUI have tested negative.

"The three patients related to the patient in Singapore who tested positive are still being treated at the isolation ward and are in stable conditions,"he said.