KUALA LUMPUR (May 29): The Ministry of Health (MoH) is calling for serious inter-agency efforts to address the rising number of new Covid-19 cases among non-Malaysians since the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) was enforced on May 4.

According to Health Director-General (D-G) Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, nearly 78% of new daily cases recorded during the CMCO period involved foreign workers, many of whom are living in confined spaces and lack awareness on prevention practices.

"From May 4 to 29, we have noted that about 78% of the positive cases that we have involved foreign workers. So we advise employers to screen [their foreign workers]. We're still discussing which sector [to start with].

"This is perhaps due to the confined space and crowded accommodation that they live in, where they are not able to practice social distancing. It just takes one person who is positive to infect the whole house," he told a media briefing in Putrajaya today.

Earlier today, Dr Noor Hisham said the MoH has found a new cluster of infections involving migrant workers of a cleaning company, with 24 confirmed positive as at noon.

This followed a voluntary screening process undertaken by the company for its foreign workers at a private clinic.

Dr Noor Hisham said the company has set a good example which should be followed by other employers of foreign workers in the country.

"The company's own initiative to screen its workers has allowed us to take action before it spreads further. We hope more companies will follow suit as we are all in this together," he added.

He also said the majority of Covid-19 cases in Malaysia have been traced to confined places. Hence, the D-G said it is crucial for everyone to play their part in addressing this problem.

On the low infection rate among Malaysians, Dr Noor Hisham said this was perhaps due to a higher awareness among the locals on the need to practice preventive measures.

Malaysians accounted for only about 12.3% of the 1,800 daily new cases recorded since May 4, according to the Health D-G.

"I think we need to educate foreign workers on the SOP (standard operating procedures) as well, such as practising social distancing, hand washing, wearing masks and avoiding crowded places.

"As (far) as the country is concerned, we need to look at both groups of people because health involves everyone — whether you are a citizen or non-citizen," he said, adding there should not be any exponential surge in new cases if Malaysians adhered to the SOPs during the recent Aidilfitri holidays.

Read also:
Covid-19: Malaysia’s daily cases jump to 103 as new cluster emerges
COVID-19: New infection cluster found among cleaning company's migrant workers

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