MoH still investigating reports of former minister, deputy minister exposed to Covid-19

PETALING JAYA: Reports of a former minister and former deputy minister who were exposed to a Covid-19 patient are still being investigated, says the Health Ministry.

The former minister and former deputy minister were said to have been in close contact with a Khazanah Nasional Bhd employee, who is labelled as case number 26.

“The Health Ministry wishes to address the information circulating on social media about the two public figures who are allegedly suspected of being infected with the Covid-19 and linked to Covid-19 case number 26.

“This matter is under investigation and action will be taken by the Health Ministry, ” Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said in a statement on Monday (March 2).

Case number 26, he added, was reported on March 1, and the patient is undergoing treatment and monitoring in Sungai Buloh hospital. The patient is reported to be in a stable condition.

“Five close contacts, who are family members, a special assistant to case 26, and a private healthcare official have tested negative for Covid-19.

“The investigation and contact tracing process are still continuing, ” he said.

He said as of Monday (March 2), the cumulative number of Covid-19 cases in the country remains at 29.

“From the 29 confirmed cases, 22 cases have recovered and been discharged. A further seven cases are still receiving treatment in isolation wards at a few hospitals in the Klang Valley, ” he said, adding that they were all in stable condition.

About 221 people, Dr Noor Hisham added, were identified to have close contact with the seven Covid-19 cases still receiving treatment in Malaysian hospitals.

From the 221 close contacts, two were confirmed to be positive cases (which are cases 27 and 29) while 74 were confirmed negative.

“Another 82 cases are still pending lab results, while another 63 cases are still in the process of sample-taking, ” he clarified.

He also urged the public not to circulate information about the Covid-19 cases which have not been confirmed by the Health Ministry.

Members of the public, he said, are to maintain good hygiene by frequent washing of hands with soap or by using hand sanitiser.

Those who wish to have further information on Covid-19, can contact the national Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC) via its hotline [phone] or 03-8881 0700.