TWO Suhakam commissioners have been discharged from hospital after tests showed they were free  of Covid-19 infection.

They had tested positive for the virus earlier this month. 

One of the commissioners said he was afraid in the beginning and was relieved to find that he has been cleared.

The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia senior official was tested on March 12, hospitalised on March 14 and discharged yesterday.

The commissioner said he received systematic and thorough care in Hospital Kuala Lumpur. 

“There were throat swabs and an X-ray check when I first arrived. Then there were daily pulse, blood pressure and temperature checks.

“Specialists did their rounds in the morning and the doctors were always present. All the staff were pleasant and helpful,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

The commissioner said he was not given drugs in the hospital but advised to eat well and drink four litres of water daily.

“Medical staff would do throat swabs every three days. When the results are twice negative, that means we are clear and can be discharged.

“We were quarantined for seven days before another throat swab was taken followed by another one after 14 days.”

He advised those who show the slightest symptoms or have in contact with the infected to get tested.

“The faster we get checked the better, before we infect others.”

On March 15, The Malaysian Insight reported that two commissioners tested positive for Covid-19, while a commission officer was listed as a patient under investigation and awaiting test results.

Suhakam said the other commissioner tested positive on March 7, was hospitalised on March 11 and discharged on March 19, while the officer’s test had come back negative.

All three officials were present at a public inquiry into the disappearance of Pastor Joshua Hilmy and his wife, Ruth Sitepu, which was conducted in early March at Suhakam headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysia has 1,518 cases of Covid-19 with 14 deaths. – March 24, 2020.