Seven Individuals Who Work In Parliament Have Tested Positive For Covid-19, Says Dr Noor Hisham

Seven individuals who work in Parliament have tested positive for Covid-19, according to the Ministry of Health (MOH).

Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said in his press conference on 2 November that the individuals involved includes an auxiliary police officer and his wife. Also found to be positive are an assistant senator and a media worker.

He added that after conducting the screening, three other co-workers of the auxiliary police also tested positive for Covid-19, reported Sinar Harian.

“We have also screened seven family members of media personnel but the results have not been obtained,” he said.

“A total of 12 close contacts with the senator’s assistant have been identified.”

“Although the assistants are positive, they (close contacts) may be in the incubation period so we quarantined them all.”

As of now, Dr Noor Hisham said the cause of infection remains unknown and added that there was a period of six weeks between the last day the Dewan Negara convened in September and the date the individuals underwent a screening test last week.

Dr Noor Hisham admits that this is a challenge to the MOH as only 30 to 40 per cent of positive cases can be detected from those with symptoms as most of them could be asymptomatic.

“Infection can occur two days before symptoms appear and seven days after symptoms,” he said.

Just yesterday (2 November), Senator Ras Adiba Radzi announced that her sister had tested positive for Covid-19. As a result, parliamentary session this week will end earlier at 1pm.

Also read: Dewan Negara Officer Tests Positive for Covid-19, Some Parliament Members Possibly Infected