Sungai Siput Hospital turned into full Covid-19 hospital

IPOH: The Sungai Siput Hospital has been turned into a full Covid-19 hospital.

In a letter signed on Thursday (Aug 5) by Perak Health director Datuk Dr Ding Lay Ming sighted by The Star, the hospital was said to have become a Covid-19 hospital on July 29.

She said the hospital was used due to the current situation and increase in Covid-19 cases in the state.

"The hospital has a capacity of 79 beds, including 10 beds for severe acute respiratory infection and persons under investigation.

She said general outpatient services and specialist clinics at the hospital would be referred to the nearest health facility.

"Clinical services for methadone, chest, hemodialysis and forensics will operate as usual," she added.

It is learned that preparations to turn Sungai Siput Hospital into a full Covid-19 hospital started towards the end of July.

Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital in Ipoh is the other hospital in Perak with appropriate and adequate isolation facilities to admit Covid-19 patients.

As of Thursday, the state has recorded 916 new daily cases, with the cumulative total now at 41,665 cases.

Some 557 patients have recovered, but there were 12 deaths over the past 24 hours, while 122 people are still in intensive care.