Use the Covid-19 hotline and online consultation services prepared by the Health Ministry if you are experiencing symptoms, says infectious disease expert Datuk Dr Christopher Lee.
“We want to minimise masses of people gathering at hospitals, as it could further burden hospital services, ” said Dr. Lee, while noting that large gatherings of people can also facilitate the transmission of the virus.
Only those who have been advised by the doctors via the hotline or online consultation to present themselves for testing should do so, at the nearest Covid-19 screening centre.
Hotline numbers, online consultations and a full list of all Covid-19 screening centres is available here.
At the screening centres, patients will be directed to a special triage area, where healthcare workers will guide them through the rest of the process.
At the end of the process, swab samples will be taken from the patient’s nose and throat, to test for the Covid-19 virus. Results will be ready within 24 to 72 hours, during which patients are advised to self-quarantine at home. Only patients exhibiting moderate to severe symptoms will be warded immediately.
If tested positive, the patient will be contacted and told to admit themselves for treatment. Ambulance services are provided for those who face problems with transportation.
For a more detailed step-by-step guide on what to do if you’re infected, watch R.AGE’s Newsflash: What happens to a Covid-19 patient in Malaysia.
Newsflash is a weekly explainer series by R.AGE that breaks down and discusses current topics. Watch all the episodes here or follow the playlist on Facebook here.
