KUALA LUMPUR (July 30): Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said 11 Covid-19 positive cases were identified in Parliament yesterday (July 29).

Overall, 10 positive cases were detected through RTK-AG saliva test kits and another infection from real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), according to a statement issued this morning.

Following detection of the cases, the Health team will conduct an investigation, risk assessment, contact tracing, as well as preventive and control measures, including disinfection in the Parliament building.

Noor Hisham said the Ministry of Health (MoH) was informed at 12.30pm of the first two Covid-19 positive cases detected in Parliament yesterday.

According to him, the first case involved an officer who was present in Parliament from Monday to Wednesday. The patient — having cough and flu symptoms — was confirmed positive yesterday after undergoing an RT-PCR test in a health facility.

Meanwhile, the second positive case was identified from screening conducted in Parliament during the morning session using RTK-AG. The patient had the cough symptom, said Noor Hisham.

Based on investigation, he said the two positive cases were not related to any of the 56 Covid-19 infections detected from previous screening.

“The two positive cases were tested negative upon screening conducted before entering Parliament. Based on early investigation and case movement history, they were in some locations around Parliament during the Parliament sitting period,” he added.

As of 8pm yesterday, a total of 1,183 individuals in the Parliament building had undergone Covid-19 screening using RTK AG saliva test kits.

After the two positive cases were identified, nine more people in Parliament were tested positive for Covid-19, bringing total infections detected in the Parliament building to 11 yesterday.

When asked whether any of the positive cases involved the Members of Parliament (MPs), the ministry said: “We will update [on the matter]."

Dewan Rakyat’s afternoon session was postponed for three times yesterday before it was finally adjourned until next Monday amid concerns about the Covid-19 infections in Parliament. 

The third postponement was announced by Deputy Speaker Datuk Mohd Rashid Hason at 3.30pm as he cited a letter from Noor Hisham that "two Covid-19 cases were found in the building".

At 5.15pm, Mohd Rashid informed the floor that the Dewan Rakyat sitting would be further adjourned until next Monday.

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