PUTRAJAYA APRIL 16: About 80.7% of the senior citizens aged above 60 with chronic illnesses like diabetics, hypertension, heart and kidney problems died of COVID-19, says Health Ministry.
Health Director General, Datuk Dr. Noor Hisham Abdullah said, senior citizens should be taken to the hospital the soonest possible if they have signs of cough, sore throat and fever.
He said, they could be saved if taken early to the hospital to get the necessary treatment.
“Senior citizens should adhere to personnel cleanliness, social distancing and at the same time secure the required medicines at all times. They can use the Virtual Health Advisory operated by the Ministry and is opened from 8.30am until 5pm every day.
“They can also use the Value Added Pharmacy Services where medicines are delivered through the post throughout the enforcement of the Movement Control Order (MCO) without having to go to the hospital,” said Dr. Noor Hisham in a press conference here today.
According to Dr. Noor Hisham, the two age groups that are vulnerable to COVID-19 positive are 20-24 besides 56-59 but nevertheless in 100,000 people the age group of 55-59 and 60-64 are the two age groups mostly infected by the corona virus.
Dr. Noor Hisham said,the ministry is cooperating with the Ministry of Women and Family Development to formulate the guidelines of the Residential Aged Care Facilities to ensure the standard operating procedure (SOP) of health is adhered.
On COVID-19 daily report, Dr. Noor Hisham said, 119 patients or 53.4% were discharged today bringing the total of 2,766 while 2,332 cases were still under treatment.
He added, there are 110 new cases today bringing to the cumulative total of 5,182 while one death case or 1.62% (from the total) bringing the death toll to 84. From the new cases, 56 were taken to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) while 29 need respiratory aids.
The death was patient number 4,711; aged 66. He had a heart problem and diabetics. He was admitted to Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) on April 9 and passed away on April 15, 12.55pm.
Meanwhile there are 315 COVID-19 positive cases amongst children; below 4 years -83 patients; 5-9 years – 83 patients; 10-14 years -149 patients that brings 6% from the cumulative total of positive cases.
Dr. Noor Hisham reported that there are 28 clusters that have been actively monitored by the Ministry of Health. This includes the tahfiz group with 9,842 students from 304 “madrasah” in the country. Among them 2,697 have done health screening with 250 have been infected with the corona virus.
“There is a possibility that they have been infected with COVID-19 through direct contact with the participants of the Tabligh Assembly in Sri Petaling last February,” he said.- Malaysia World News.
