ONE or two zones areas in Selangor might be placed under an enhanced movement control order (EMCO), similar to what is being done in Johor’s Simpang Renggam, said director-general of health Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

He said Selangor recorded the highest number of Covid-19 infections. 

“If we look at the distribution of infections, the highest number of cases is in Selangor. We have to see… which are the places or zones with the highest number,” said  Dr Noor Hisham during his daily press update today. 

“We have identified one or two zones in Selangor, whereby we might have to take action like we did in Simpang Renggam,” Dr Noor Hisham said, but did not name the areas that the ministry is looking at.

Up to noon today, 33 new Covid-19 cases have been recorded in Selangor, bringing the total to 612.

Last week, two areas in Simpang Renggam, Kluang, in Johor were put under an EMCO because of the high density of infections. 

Kampung Dato’ Ibrahim Majid and Bandar Baharu Dato’ Ibrahim Majid have seen 61 Covid-19 cases among 3,570 residents.

To date, 97 Covid-19 cases cases have been reported in Kluang, of which 81 are from the two Simpang Renggam villages.

Dr Noor Hisham said infections in Simpang Renggam were linked to four clusters from the Sri Petaling Tabligh group as well as second and third generation cases.

Under the EMCO enforced on March 27, residents are not allowed to leave the area while those from outside are not allowed to enter. 

All businesses have been ordered shut and authorities will provide enough food for each household to last until the order’s end on April 9.

Dr Noor Hisham also said the ministry will turn  indoor stadiums and halls such as the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park (MAEPS) in Serdang, into temporary hospitals if number of cases increases at a rate of 1,000 a day.

He said up to 19,200 beds could be organised if all Health Ministry training centres are used. 

He added such centres can be used to treat patients with milder symptoms while hospitals can be   kept for more severe cases. 

The ministry has so dfar prepared 3,400 beds for the purpose of Covid-19. – March 29, 2020.