THE Health Ministry hopes to track down anyone who may have been infected at Petaling Jaya’s 1 Utama mall in one week, said health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

“In one of the malls, it (Covid-19 case) involves a security guard, plus the workers in certain areas. So, the numbers of workers (to be screened) are increasing.

“It is very important for the Health Ministry to continue screening workers plus contact tracing all those who may have contact with them and also to disinfect the mall,” he said during a virtual press conference today on the Covid-19 situation in the country.

Last week, Noor Hisham said shopping malls where Covid-19 cases have been detected can keep their doors open for business, as long as proper disinfection of the premises has been conducted.

He said the Health Ministry will assess malls for the risk of the premises spreading the virus.

Today, Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said 1 Utama will close for seven days to allow public health authorities to screen some 800 staff members after four confirmed cases were detected among them.

He said the closure will begin October 12 and end on October 18. 

Earlier, Petaling disaster committee chairman Johary Anuar urged people who had visited Parkson Elite between September 30 and October 7, and those who went into Mac City on September 25- 30 in 1 Utama to be screened.

He said the Petaling district health centre will conduct tests on October 14-15 in 1 Utama from 9am to 2pm and priority will be given to those who were on both premises on the stated dates. 

Malaysia reported 374 new Covid-19 infections today, with 277 of them recorded in Sabah.  

Three deaths were also recorded. – October 10, 2020.