MAEPS almost ready to serve as additional Covid-19 quarantine facility

SERDANG: The Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) is almost ready to serve as an additional quarantine facility for Covid-19 patients.

During a media visit organised by the Health Ministry and the National Anti-Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), it was shown that the facility is already equipped with hundreds of beds to be used by patients.

Once completed, Hall A and Hall C at the facility will be able to house a total of 604 patients.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba said currently, existing Covid-19 hospitals are still below capacity and can accommodate the increasing number of patients.

“Setting up this facility here is part of the government’s efforts to prepare for all sorts of possibilities that could arise if the Covid-19 outbreak becomes more widespread.

“The safety and wellbeing of the rakyat is the government’s main agenda in managing this Covid-19 pandemic, ” said Dr Adham at a press conference Friday (April 3).

The centre will only house “low-risk” Covid-19 patients - which means those who are Covid-19 positive but are either asymptomatic or have mild symptoms.

“Patients from within the Klang Valley as well as neighbouring Negri Sembilan or Perak can be transferred to this facility to receive 'step-down care' until they fully recover.

“This way, Covid-19 patients who require urgent care can receive treatment at the Covid-19 hospitals, ” said Dr Adham.

Besides beds and desks, patients who are at the quarantine centre can also enjoy the usage of WiFi, television and computers.

They will be allowed to mingle with other patients, but are restricted from leaving.

Medical staff on duty have special working rooms that are separated and cordoned off from the patient-only areas.

Before entering the patients’ area, staff must put on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which they must also remove and disinfect once they leave the area.