A TOTAL of 73 healthcare workers have tested positive for Covid-19, although none of them was infected in wards used to treat patients with the coronavirus, said Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah. 

At a press conference in Putrajaya today, the Health director-general said 47 healthcare workers, or 65% of the cases, were related to weddings where patients from the tabligh cluster were present.

The weddings attended by healthcare workers were held in Bangi on March 6 and in Putrajaya the following day.

The tabligh event was held at the Sri Petaling Mosque from February 27 to March 3, which saw over 14,000 participating.

Dr Noor Hisham called on any untested healthcare workers who attended the tabligh event or the wedding to come forward.

Other sources of infection were from overseas travel and contact with family members who tested positive for Covid-19.

A total of 1,895 ministry healthcare workers who work at facilities handling Covid-19 patients have undergone tests, with 1,187 workers testing negative, and a further 708 awaiting results. 

None has tested positive so far, said Dr Noor Hisham.

“All healthcare workers and frontliners are advised to carry out the required preventative measures such as washing their hands, maintaining social distancing and the continued use of personal protective equipment.

“The ministry is cognisant that the frontline workers are very committed in providing the best health and medical service that they can to Malaysians to face this Covid-19 pandemic.” – March 25, 2020.