Thursday 28 Mar 2024
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KUALA LUMPUR (May 6): A total of 147 individuals have escaped from a COVID-19 quarantine centre after having been screened for the coronavirus, according to Ministry of Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

However, Noor Hisham assured that these individuals were found negative during their screening, though they were supposed to be quarantined for at least 14 days and then rescreened.

The individuals were tested for COVID-19 because they had close contacts with what is known as the 'construction cluster', which refers to a new cluster of confirmed infections among construction workers in Ampang.

"What is certain is that they were not positive cases. They were quarantined because they were exposed to the other positive cases. So, we have made police reports and the police are now taking action against those fleeing the quarantine centres," he added.

On Sunday, the Ministry announced it had detected the new cluster, which had 28 confirmed infections. This led to further pressure on the Government to screen more foreign workers.

However, Noor Hisham dismissed claims that they managed to escape due to weaknesses in the Ministry's existing standard operating procedures (SOP).

Earlier today, The Star reported that seven foreigners were believed to have run away from a quarantine centre housed in an educational institution in the city centre.

The report stated that their disappearance was noticed at about 10am on Monday by doctors making their rounds.

It also reported that those who ran away were Indonesians and Bangladeshis, who were living with those who were suspected of being positive for COVID-19 in Selangor Mansion, Menara City One and Kampung Baru.

See also: https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/health-dg-22339-foreigners-screened-covid19-so-far-44-found-positive

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