KUALA LUMPUR, 5th March 2020 - Taman Desa Medical Centre (TDMC), one of KMI Healthcare’s chain of hospitals confirms one case of COVID-19. The patient was admitted on 25th February 2020 for another illness with no signs of fever. However, her symptoms progressed.
This case is a 46-year old Malaysian female who recently came back from Jakarta and Bogor, Indonesia. She and her family inclusive of her husband, daughter and son travelled to both the destinations from 13th February 2020 till 19th February 2020.
The patient was admitted to TDMC for gastrointestinal symptoms, namely diarrhoea with no signs of fever, cough, sore throat or difficulty in breathing. However, her body temperature fluctuated daily and her symptoms progressed. The patient made good recovery with further treatment. Nonetheless, her COVID-19 test result was reported as positive on 4th March 2020. Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) and Pusat Kesihatan Daerah (PKD) were informed as required. The patient was then transferred out to HKL last night for further treatment.
Immediately, the hospital closed all infected ward rooms on 4th March 2020. Health Care Workers (HCW) who have been in contact with the patient have been identified for screening. KMI is currently working closely with Ministry of Health (MOH) with all preventive measures taken to combat the spread of the disease. We are taking necessary action to look after the interest and wellbeing of our staff. They are under close monitoring or home quarantine.
The general ward of the hospital shall be closed for sanitization and sorting out of staff quarantine issues. As some of our staff need to be quarantined for 14 days, we target to reopen within 48 hours or until further notice depending on staff numbers. The rest of the hospital operations shall continue as usual.
At hospital level, we prioritize the health and wellbeing of our patients and staff. The hospital conducts preventive measures including temperature checking of everyone that comes into the hospital, a designated triaging counter, limiting entry points, information in the form of pamphlets and posters of COVID-19 and encouraging good hand hygiene practices, ever since the global outbreak back in early January 2020.
KMI will continue to follow closely all COVID-19 updates of preventive measures and comply with the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Management Guidelines in Malaysia set by MOH.