THE Health Ministry said it is prepared for an influx of foreign workers at low-risk Covid-19 quarantine and treatment centres as a massive screening programme for migrant labour continues.

Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said six states are expected to screen foreign workers, especially those in construction sites and factories.

“Screening will be carried out in stages and we’re expecting almost 94% of them (those positive for covid-19) to be in the Categories 1 and 2 with no or mild symptoms.

“We have identified the PKRCs namely in the Klang Valley, Negri Sembilan, Penang and more, and if there is an increase in cases in these categories, then we are prepared to place them in the centres,” Dr Noor Hisham said at the Covid-19 press briefing today in Putrajaya.

The Health Ministry has divided Covid-19 cases into five categories: Category 1 is for those with no symptoms; Category 2 is for mild symptoms; Category 3 is for those with pneumonia; Category 4 is for those with pneumonia who need oxygen; and, Category 5 is for those who need breathing assistance.

Dr Noor Hisham said the Health Ministry is expecting around 5% of foreign workers screened to be under Categories 3, 4 and 5.

He said hospitals can accommodate the 5% increase, adding that they have adequate intensive care unit (ICU) capacity and ventilators. – December 9, 2020.