KUALA LUMPUR (May 20): After more than a month without any new Covid-19 infections, Kelantan reported one today in Kuala Krai — a female interstate traveller who is 35 weeks pregnant, according to Health Director-General (D-G) Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
The health D-G said the woman had travelled from Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, which is a red zone, with the intention of delivering her child in her hometown in Kelantan.
"The patient was screened for Covid-19 at a local health clinic [in Kuala Krai] and was tested positive. She has been isolated and is now receiving treatment.
"We are now carrying out an acute case detection and contact tracing to find out whether the infection came from the red zone. Investigations are underway," he said during his daily press briefing on the Covid-19 situation in Putrajaya today.
Interstate travel is banned under the Conditional Control Movement Order (CMCO). However, limited interstate travel was allowed between May 7 and 10.
Dr Noor Hisham, meanwhile, reiterated the ministry's stance against "unnecessary" house visits during the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri season, saying this is to avoid a rise in new Covid-19 cases, despite the fact that the government has green-lighted such activities for the first day of the celebration that falls on May 24.
"Although the government allows it, ensuring that the SOPs (standard operating procedures) are observed at all times is very crucial to prevent the spread of Covid-19 especially among children and the elderly.
"If you can, avoid going on house visits entirely. Celebrate the occasion in a closed environment," the D-G said.
For those who cannot avoid house visits or receiving guests, he said they must especially refrain from shaking hands and practise the necessary preventive measures including physical distancing and personal hygiene.
Failing to do so could result in a rise of Covid-19 infections, he warned, notwithstanding that the country has managed to keep the occurrence of new infections in a double-digit range since the more relaxed CMCO started on May 4.
Last week, Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that visiting during the coming Aidilfitri, Pesta Kaamatan and Hari Gawai would only be allowed on the first day of each celebration and would be limited to immediate family members.
Following this, Dr Noor Hisham on the same day warned of a surge of new Covid-19 cases in mid-June if Malaysians do not comply with the SOPs under the CMCO.
The projection is based on the case modelling prepared by the National Institute of Health, which predicts the outcomes of Covid-19 cases for the next two to four weeks, based on Malaysians' adherence to social-distancing rules.
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