THE Greater Klang Valley Special Task Force (GKVSTF) will focus on seven areas to mitigate and contain the Covid-19 situation in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, Ministry of Health deputy director-general (Public Health) Dr Chong Chee Kheong said today.

“The task force will focus on the following areas: clinical care, Covid-19 assessment centres (CAC) and home monitoring; epidemiology, medical and general logistics; frontliner social support systems, human resources and finance; and strategic communications,” he said in a statement.

Dr Chong said these measures were necessary to address the rising number of Covid-19 infections, admissions and lessen the burden of the healthcare system.

Today, 15,902 fresh infections were reported and the Klang Valley contributed 60% of the cases. Selangor reported 7,351 cases while Kuala Lumpur recorded 2,406 infections.

He said the task force will take immediate measures to  ensure hospitals have a “predictable and uninterrupted” supply of oxygen, life-saving medicines and other supplies.

Dr Chong said the task force’s testing strategy will now focus on symptomatic patients while others will be asked to undergo isolation at home.

“All symptomatic Covid-19 cases will still need to be assessed visually or physically at a CAC or district health office.

“All positive cases who are asymptomatic will be asked to undergo home isolation for 10 days and report themselves on MySejahtera, e-Covid and SELangkah Home Assessment.”

Close contacts of symptomatic patients are recommended to undergo testing either through home test kits or at the nearest clinic.

He said this policy may lead to a decline of Covid-19 cases as self test and home isolation data will not be captured.

“This will allow the region to pivot towards mitigation and away from the late containment state.”

Earlier today, Dr Chong also announced that Selayang Hospital will be converted to a full Covid-19 hospital with the capacity of 450 beds.

Meanwhile, non-Covid-19 patients will be sent to private hospitals for further care.

Selayang Hospital will join Sungai Buloh Hospital, Ampang Hospital and the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital in Klang to be turned into a full Covid-19 hospital

The Greater Klang Valley special task force was established by the Health Ministry to strengthen the Klang Valley’s healthcare system’s preparedness to manage the Covid-19 pandemic. – July 24, 2021.