THE Health Ministry took all the necessary steps to prevent a possible spike in Covid-19 infections in Sabah from as early as two weeks before the state elections last Saturday, Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said today.

The steps included closing down local markets, imposing 98 roadblocks and border control, as well as deploying medical personnel and equipment to the state, Noor Hisham told his weekly press conference today.

The government had announced the implementation of targeted enhanced movement control orders (Temco) in four red zones in Sabah after the September 26 polls.

Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob had announced on September 28 that four red zones – Tawau, Semporna, Kunak and Lahad Datu – will be placed under Temco after collectively recording 1,000 Covid-19 cases in the span of 27 days.

“The reason we did not announce the Temco earlier was because, if we had, that would mean we would be forcing people to stay at home,” he said.

“We did not want to stop people from voting in the election,” he added.

He said as part of preparations, the ministry has designated six hospitals with 552 beds in Sabah to symptomatic patients or those in advanced stages of infection.

Sixty-six beds in intensive care and 139 ventilators were also earmarked for possible Covid-19 patients.

Noor Hisham added that 60% of the hospital beds and 12% of the ICU beds are being used.

The ministry also set up mobile hospitals-cum-quarantine centres for low-risk and asymptomatic patients, he said.

He also said the requirement for a second swab for returnees from Sabah who tested negative in the first test, and the home quarantine order differs from requirements for overseas returnees.

Overseas returnees are required to undergo a 14-day quarantine and get a second swab test done on the 13th day.

However, those returning from Sabah who test negative only have to undergo quarantine for the first few days and not 14 days, which is the incubation period for the virus.

“It does not mean that, when we say it is the end of the mandatory quarantine, you are free; this means the onus is on you to self-regulate and self-quarantine at home,” he said.

“If you have symptoms, contact us, and we will provide the necessary treatment.”

He said the interstate travel ban from red zones to other areas must also be applied to all states that currently or previously had red zones, adding it is unfair to impose such requirements on Sabah alone.

There are currently 1,045 active cases in Sabah, while 119 cases have been reported in other states, among them of persons who recently travelled to the state. – October 1, 2020.