Global Digital Store – Ebooks and Softwares

Tag: Screening

Thailand closes nine border checkpoints to Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: The Thai government has closed nine border checkpoints to Malaysia until further notice to curb the spread of Covid-19.

The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (Customs), in a statement here, said that the Thai Ambassador to Malaysia, Narong Sasitorn has notified the South-East Asian division secretary at the Foreign Ministry today.

“All nine Thai-Malaysian checkpoints via land and sea have been closed and the border closure is also implemented at all Thai border checkpoints with Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar.

“During the closure period, all Thai nationals and foreigners are barred from entering or exiting Thailand via land or sea,“ the Customs Department added.

Thai nationals and Malaysians are only allowed to return to their respective countries by air.

Meanwhile, only one land or sea checkpoints in each designated territory bordering Malaysia will be opened for the transporting of goods across Thai borders.

Other stringent rules included allowing only one Malaysian driver in each heavy vehicle on land while only five crew members are allowed in a boat to transport goods by sea.

However, the drivers and boat crews will only be allowed to enter after the mandatory health screening at the border. – Bernama

Read More
https://www.thesundaily.my/local/thailand-closes-nine-border-checkpoints-to-malaysia-CC2172455

Views: 0

March 23, 2020
11 Malaysian participants of Sulawesi tabligh rally detected in Tawau

PUTRAJAYA: The Ministry of Health today confirmed that 11 Malaysians who had travelled to Sulawesi, Indonesia to attend the international tabligh gathering had been detected in Tawau, Sabah yesterday.

Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah (pix) said all of them had undergone Covid-19 screening and had been quarantined pending test results.

“It is true that we have been waiting for them in Tawau and we have detected 11 of them … the swab test has been carried out, we are just waiting for the result,“ he told a Covid-19 daily press conference here.

He said about 80 to 100 Malaysians had travelled to Sulawesi to attend the gathering based on an engagement session between him and the tabligh leaders.

Asked about the remaining Malaysians who attended the rally, he said they were likely still in the neighbouring country.

Local media reported that the Ijtimak Asia 2020 function planned for March 19 to 22 was cancelled in view of the worsening Covid-19 situation.

Meanwhile, Dr Noor Hisham said of the 1,306 cumulative positive cases in Malaysia as of noon today, 62% of the cases or 743 patients were linked to the to the tabligh gathering cluster at Masjid Sri Petaling, Kuala Lumpur.

“This means that one in every 10 individuals who attended the tabligh gathering tested positive of Covid-19,“ he said.

He said based on his discussions with leaders of the tabligh group, the gathering in Sri Petaling involved 16,000 people.

Of the total, 14,500 were Malaysians while the rest were foreign citizens from 25 countries, he said.

Dr Noor Hisham added that so far, 11,000 participants had undergone screening.

He said there had been no Covid-19 cases from other gatherings in the country. – Bernama

Read More
https://www.thesundaily.my/local/11-malaysian-participants-of-sulawesi-tabligh-rally-detected-in-tawau-JN2168946

Views: 0

March 22, 2020
Adequate blood supply in the country: National Blood Centre

KUALA LUMPUR: The supply of blood in the country is still sufficient at a safe level so far, said National Blood Centre (PDN) director Dr Noryati Abu Amin.

However, she said PDN and other blood centres are still in need of blood donors to continue replenishing blood stock at an optimum level all the time.

According to her, blood donation is still available during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period as the activity is considered an essential service under the Health Ministry for the treatment of patients.

While it cannot be denied that blood donation throughout the country would be affected following Covid-19 and the enforcement of MCO, Dr Noryati said various efforts including stepping up promotions via social media as well as extending the operation hours at collection centres have been carried out.

“So far, the supply of all types of blood is sufficient, however many blood donation campaigns were cancelled over fears that the people maybe infected with Covid-19 which also caused a drop in the number of donors,” she told Bernama.

Dr Noryati added that several additional measures were taken to prevent the spread of Covid-19 when individuals came to donate blood, among them was limiting the number of donors at a location at any one time.

“Apart from that, measures such as social distancing and practice of good hygiene especially washing hands with soap and water as well as providing initial screening such as checking body temperature and inquiring the travel history of the donor, she said.

In this regard, she urged the people to continue donating blood regularly to ensure the supply of blood is always at a safe level.

“Having an adequate supply of blood at all time is very important to treat patients such as emergency victims, expecting mothers who may experience bleeding complications during delivery, cancer and thalassemia patients as well as patients undergoing major surgeries,” she said.

Members of the public can donate blood at three locations in the Klang Valley namely PDN in Jalan Tun Razak on Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 8pm and on Saturday and Sunday, from 8am to 6pm.

Besides that, the PDN Donation Suite in Midvalley Megamall starts daily from 10am to 5pm while the Puspanita Blood Donation Suite in Putrajaya operates from Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 7pm and on weekends from 9am to 6pm.

Meanwhile, the blood supply at the Blood Centre of Tuanku Ja’afar Hospital Seremban (HTJS) is also sufficient, said Negri Sembilan Health acting director Dr Mohammad Faid Abd Rashid.

Speaking to Bernama, he said the centre has enough blood for patients,

“During the MOC period, the centre is still operating on Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 3pm and on Monday to Friday from 8 am to 4.30 pm.

“The supply of blood however depends on healthy and non-risky donors who have to adhere to the regulations of the hospital,” he said.

Dr Mohammad Faid said those who display Covid-19 symptoms or have just returned from abroad or have close contact with suspected Covid-19 cases would not be allowed to donate blood. — Bernama

Read More
https://www.thesundaily.my/local/adequate-blood-supply-in-the-country-national-blood-centre-BA2165883

Views: 0

March 21, 2020
Sabah issues temporary immigration ban on non-Sabahans

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government has announced an immigration order preventing the entry of non-Sabahans into the state, to be implemented throughout the 14-day period of the Movement Control Order announced by the federal government last night, and which takes effect tomorrow.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (pix) said the ban of all non-Sabahans through entry points for air, sea and land travellers, would apply except in reference to individuals approved by the state government and who have received certification from health authorities that they are free of Covid-19.

“The ban on the entry of all foreign tourists and visitors to Sabah is also in effect, along with a ban on overseas travel for all Sabahans. Those who have just returned from overseas are required to undergo health screening, as well as self-isolation for a 14-day period,” he said, in a media statement issued today.

Also to take effect is a complete state-wide ban on public gatherings including religious, sporting, social and cultural activities.

“In order for this ban to take effect, all places of worship and business premies must close except for supermarkets, public markets, groceries, and convenience stores which sell essential items,” he said.

Mohd Shafie said all government premises will also be closed except those providing essential services.

On March 12, the state government had activated the State Disaster Management Committee headed by the State Secretary.

“District-level disaster management committees have also been activated and are chaired by the district officers,” he added. – Bernama

Read More
https://www.thesundaily.my/local/sabah-issues-temporary-immigration-ban-on-non-sabahans-YC2141463

Views: 0

March 17, 2020
Google sibling Verily launches COVID-19 screening website

Google sister company Verily has launched a website to screen people who think they might have COVID-19 and point them to testing sites. But you probably can’t use it to get tested quite yet.

Read More
https://techxplore.com/news/2020-03-google-sibling-verily-covid-screening.html

Views: 0

March 16, 2020
Man detained for spitting in lift, causing public anxiety

GEORGE TOWN: An elderly man has been arrested for allegedly spitting on the buttons of a lift at a housing estate in Sungai Ara, Bayan Lepas near here, causing alarm amid fears of Covid-19.

Southwest district police chief Supt A. Anbalagan said the 63-year-old snooker centre employee surrendered himself at the Bayan Lepas police station after a video of the abhorrent act went viral and was slammed by netizens.

“At 7.25pm yesterday a teacher lodged a police report after receiving the viral video on WhatsApp. The Penang City Council (MBPP) and Health Ministry have been urged to clean up the lift and examine the man,“ he said here today.

He said the man had undergone a health screening.

“So far he showed no signs of Covid-19 infection and a urine drug test also came out negative,” he added.

Anbalagan said the man had admitted to committing the act and police were completing the investigation papers for the case to be investigated under Section 427 of the Penal Code for committing mischief.

Meanwhile, Anbalagan called on the public to cooperate by not resorting to acts that could aggravate fears and anxiety at a time when Covid-19 has been declared a pandemic. – Bernama

Read More
https://www.thesundaily.my/local/man-detained-for-spitting-in-lift-causing-public-anxiety-IC2136875

Views: 0

March 16, 2020
Some universities have closed their campus, switched to online lecturing

PETALING JAYA: A number of universities have closed their campuses and instructed their staff to give lectures online to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Among them is Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), which closed its branch campus in Pagoh from today for decontamination after a UTHM staff tested positive for novel coronavirus.

According to a circular from UTHM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Wahid Razzaly, which was uploaded on the university’s official Facebook page on Sunday night, the branch campus will be closed until March 19 to facilitate comprehensive decontamination of the premises.

He said the closure involves the entire academic and non-academic staff, except for employees of the university’s health centre, development and maintenance office, including the security and college residence division.

Quarantine and screening operations will continuously be conducted in line with existing procedures.

“All academic and administrative staff are allowed to work from home and attendance will not be recorded at the campus. The attendance record for all staff involved will be updated automatically by the Registrar’s Office,” Wahid added.

In George Town, Universiti Sains Malaysia announced that it is conducting all lectures online from Sunday.

Its vice-chancellor Prof Dr Faisal Rafiq Mahamd Adikan said the dean will inform students on the online learning process.

Read More
https://www.thesundaily.my/local/some-universities-have-closed-their-campus-switched-to-online-lecturing-CC2136532

Views: 0

March 16, 2020
830 more nurses for government hospitals, says Health Minister

KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Health (MOH) will place 830 nurses in government hospitals to tackle the spread of Covid-19 in this country, according to Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba.

He said their appointments on a contract basis was to beef up the manpower capacity at 135 government hospitals across the country in view of the spike in Covid-19 cases since last week.

“They, comprising nurses who have completed their studies at the ministry’s nursing colleges, will serve for two years,“ he said at the daily media conference on Covid-19, here today.

Dr Adham said Malaysia had sufficient medical manpower including more than 60,000 doctors in the public and private sectors.

“We have enough (professional medical practitioners) in every state at this moment but what we need now is (more) infectious disease physicians,“ he added.

Besides that, he said the MOH had 926 medical ventilators including 152 non-invasive ventilators and 142 transport ventilators.

“The ministry is ordering 800 more ventilators to meet the current need,“ he added.

On a related development, Dr Adham said of the attendees at the recent four-day Tabligh Assembly held at Sri Petaling Jamek Mosque, more than 7,000 had come forward for Covid-19 screening.

However, he said, the MOH did not know yet the number of positive cases. – Bernama

Read More
https://www.thesundaily.my/local/830-more-nurses-for-government-hospitals-says-health-minister-DC2136476

Views: 0

March 16, 2020
Over 600 Sarawakians were at Sri Petaling mosque gathering

KUCHING: At least 609 Sarawakians have been identified as participants of the recent gathering at the Sri Petaling mosque in Kuala Lumpur that has been linked to a number of Covid-19 cases, State Disaster Management Committee chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah said.

He said the actual number had yet to be determined as the committee was still scrutinising the health declaration forms collected from inbound passengers into the state between March 2 and 5.

“I hope those who have yet to report themselves to the nearest health department or hospital will do so immediately as this is very crucial for their own health and society at large,“ he said in a statement issued by his office this evening.

Earlier today, Uggah who is the state Deputy Chief Minister attended a closed-door briefing on Covid-19 situation in Miri where he was informed that 102 of those attending the religious gathering, held from Feb 27 to March 1, were from the city.

“For Miri alone, I have been told that some 74 of them (participants at the gathering) had turned up at the hospital here (to undergo health screening),“ he said.

Uggah also urged Sarawakians who attended the Borneo Ultra Trial Run in Kota Kinabalu recently to report to the nearest health department upon their return for screening.

He said this was very important as there has been more Covid-19 positive cases in Sabah than Sarawak. As of Sunday, Sarawak recorded 20 Covid-19 positive cases while Sabah had 49 cases.

Meanwhile, he said, 12 individuals were currently under observation at the Petronas Sports Village which had been turned into a quarantine centre for the Miri division.

He said that Miri Hospital had the personnel and equipment to face the Covid-19 situation, and was collaborating with private hospitals around the northern Sarawak city.

“I would like to assure the people in Miri and in the state that we want to provide the best for them,“ he added. — Bernama

Read More
https://www.thesundaily.my/local/over-600-sarawakians-were-at-sri-petaling-mosque-gathering-AI2129332

Views: 0

March 15, 2020
Govt to convene special Covid-19 meeting tomorrow to discuss further measures

JOHOR BARU: The government will convene a special Covid-19 meeting tomorrow to discuss further measures needed to contain infections, following the spike in cases to a total of 428 recorded until noon today, since the beginning of infections in the country.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba (pix) said apart from Health Ministry representatives, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and representatives of the Defence Ministry are also expected to attend.

“We (Malaysia) have now entered the ‘late containment’ phase”, he said, in view of the 428 cases recorded so far.

He told reporters this after observing the situation at the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex at Bangunan Sultan Iskandar here today. Also present was Johor Health Director Dr Aman Rabu and state Health and Environment Committee chairman R. Vidyananthan.

Adham said initial investigations indicated that most of the latest cases were linked to the ‘tabligh’ rally cluster – the rally had taken place at Masjid Jamek Sri Petaling in Kuala Lumpur, from Feb 27 to March 1.

He said a total of 190 new cases of the coronavirus had been reported until noon today, bringing the total number of cases to 428.

Adham added that the Health Ministry would invoke section 15 (1) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 to track down and enforce health screening on rally participants who have refused to come forward to health authorities for testing.

“The ministry calls on those who were at the Sri Petaling mosque to contact the nearest District Health Office for further action,“ he said.

The minister added that from Jan 5 until today, a total of 6.8 million people comprising foreigners and Malaysians had undergone health screening at all entry points in Johor, and so far, no positive Covid-19 cases had been detected through the screening.

He also stressed that premises with individuals who have been confirmed to have been infected with Covid-19, should be closed by operators without waiting for instructions from the ministry. — Bernama

Read More
https://www.thesundaily.my/local/govt-to-convene-special-covid-19-meeting-tomorrow-to-discuss-further-measures-XI2129022

Views: 0

March 15, 2020