By Mustakim Ramli
KAJANG, May 8 — Increased public awareness to prevent the spread of Covid-19 saw a total of 811 individuals participating in the free screenings held in Kajang and Semenyih today.
Selcare Clinic manager Mohd Noor Md Nasir said the numbers jumped nearly three-fold from the average 300 participants recorded in previous screening initiatives held across the state.
He said that the figure is only inclusive of pre-registered participants and does not include those who walked-in.
“During the MCO 3.0 period (movement control order), the number (of participants) increased and this shows better public awareness as the Hari Raya Aidilfitri festive season is closing in.
“When people get themselves tested then they would know their health status and this could avoid creating a point of origin for an outbreak… so everyone would feel safer,” he said when met at the Covid-19 community testing operation at the Cempaka Hall in Saujana Impian, Kajang.
Another screening operation was held simultaneously today at the Bandar Rinching Public Hall, Semenyih.
Mohd Noor said his team had prepared to test up to 1,500 people even though 500 individuals were targeted to be screened at each of the locations.
“We had stationed up to 20 Selcare staff on duty at each location. Today, a total of 40 staff were on duty in both locations,” he said.
Meanwhile, Free Malaysia Today (FMT) reported that the screening operation may see an upsurge in the number of infections recorded.
In preparation for a spike in recorded cases, Selangor Task Force for Covid-19 chairman Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad told the news portal that the state has reached out to hotel owners in Selangor to consider turning their premises into quarantine centres if the need arises.
“Covid-19 is now in the community. Through such mass screenings, we want to trace and isolate them,” the former Health Minister told FMT when met at the screening here today.
The Selangor government is conducting a monitoring programme from May 8 to June 10 to trace active Covid-19 cases in the state.
Selangor Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari had previously said that the programme starts with the free screenings in Kajang and Semenyih, with the cost fully borne by the state government.
The state government has allocated a total of RM6 million for the free Covid-19 community testing initiative.
The programme targets the involvement of 50,000 residents covering high-density areas and low-income groups.
