MORE than half of the total number of healthcare workers infected with Covid-19 contracted the coronavirus from their colleagues, director-general of health Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said today.

He said 53% of healthcare front-liners were infected by a fellow worker, while 22% contracted the virus from the community.

There has been no case of a healthcare worker contracting the virus from a Covid-19 patient, or while on duty in a Covid-19 ward, he added.

“Lately, there has been an increase in Covid-19 cases among front-liners, especially from the public and private healthcare sector.

“This is worrying as they play an important role as backbones of the country’s healthcare system,” he said in a statement today.

Noor Hisham reminded healthcare workers to take precautionary measures at all times, especially when on duty.

This includes physical distancing with colleagues and while treating patients, maintaining the hygiene of common areas such as counters, pantry, prayer area and staff lavatories.

He also emphasised the need for healthcare workers at hospitals and health clinics to wear three-ply surgical masks at all times while at work.

“Healthcare workers should also maintain good hand hygiene, cough etiquette and wear the suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) according to their needs while on duty.”

He said this applies to staff and workers at both public, private and university health facilities.

“Private healthcare staff should also don suitable PPE when conducting clinical procedures for positive Covid-19 cases,” he added.

Noor Hisham’s reminder comes in the wake of the Sungai cluster, which has thus far infected 38 people. The cluster was discovered at a private healthcare facility in Kedah.

Yesterday, he expressed concern that even front-line workers in healthcare facilities were growing lax about adhering to the standard operating procedures. – September 9, 2020.