Health DG: Out Of The 4,228 Covid-19 Positive Cases, 416 Are Foreigners

Based on recent reports by the health ministry yesterday (9th April), the country has reached 4,228 Covid-19 positive cases. According to NST, 416 out of that number are actually foreigners/non-Malaysians.

As a matter of fact, the health DG said today that the 416 consists of 53 Indonesians, 37 Indian nationals, 31 Myanmars, 29 Pakistanis and 27 Filipinos. Besides that, out of all the deaths from the disease, two have been foreigners from Pakistan and Indonesia each.

Despite the fact that they’re foreigners, the health DG noted that the ministry is working the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to ensure that all refugees and asylum-seekers are not left behind in the government’s tracking and preventive measures.

“Where foreigners are concerned, we will notify their respective embassies or high commissions if they test positive,” he said.

He also stated the importance to locate large density areas, identify hot spots and focus on those places. For example the EMCO at the Selangor and Malayan Mansion where it has been reported, many foreigners live.

“We zoomed into those condos rather than the whole area. These are some of our innovative approaches for targeted action to be done in that area. Each one of these buildings has between 2,500-3,000 people and our staff have been going house-to-house to do screening and investigation,” he added.

Since testing, there has been 15 positive cases at the two places and they have been sent to the hospital. In the mean time, the health ministry is tracking close contacts of the infected to test them and if need be, isolate and treat them.

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