ʻKELANTAN CRITICALʼ
WITH the state’s R-naught at 1.12 and rising, Kelantan cancels tarawih prayers and Ramadan bazaars. The Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium is being converted into a quarantine centre as hospitals and PKRCs reach full capacity. Cases in Selangor and Sarawak are al
KELANTAN is bracing for an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases after the state government cancelled Ramadan bazaars, tarawih prayers, Tilawah AlQuran and other public programmes.
The cancellation of fasting month activities and public programmes is attributed to a drastic increase in infections in the state.
Kelantan Local Government, Health and Housing Committee chairman Dr Izani Husin said the decision was made during a special state security subcommittee meeting held at Darul Naim Complex yesterday.
He said Kelantan’s Covid-19 infectivity rate (R-naught) stood at 1.12 of late and this showed that the infections were likely to get worse.
Up to yesterday, Covid-19 cases in Kelantan stood at 98.
“The Covid-19 situation in the state has reached a critical condition.
“The state Health (department) expects Covid-19 numbers to increase in the next one week.
“Our treatment centres are almost reaching the maximum level, so the state government, through the state Health Department, has come out with measures to resolve the problems.
“The decision is for the people’s safety.
“The state government would like to apologise to everyone (for the cancellation),” he said after the meeting.
The one-hour meeting was chaired by Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob.
Present were Ahmad’s deputy Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah, state Health director Datuk Dr Zaini Hussin and state police chief Datuk Shafien Mamat.
Dr Izani said all eight hospitals and five Covid-19 Low-Risk Quarantine and Treatment Centres (PKRC) statewide had reached between 80 per cent and full capacity.
The hospitals include the Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital (Kota Baru), Tengku Anis Hospital (Pasir Puteh), Kuala Krai Hospital and Jeli Hospital.
Among the five PKRC are the Kota Baru Municipal Council’s Silver Jubilee Hall, Pasir Mas Hospital’s hostel and Tumpat Training Centre.
In anticipation of more cases, Dr Izani said the temporary marquee at Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium intended for tarawih prayers had been converted into a PKRC.
He said the state government was looking at setting up a field hospital if the situation worsened or the number of PKRCs was insufficient to cope with the rising number of patients.
“The state Health department
is facing difficulties in managing the pandemic as it is already in our community.
“This situation is serious and we (the state government) hope locals, especially traders, will understand and accept it (the decision) with an open heart.”
Dr Izani believes people’s poor compliance with the standard operating procedures (SOP) could have contributed to the spike in cases.
“Locals failed to obey the SOP and their movement was done freely as though (there is no pandemic). There are large gatherings in almost every corner of the state, especially at public places.
“To break the chain of Covid-19 transmission, we have to take these measures.”
Kelantan police said they would beef up enforcement personnel’s presence in public areas to monitor SOP adherence.
Top cop Shafien said as much as 30 per cent more policemen would hit the streets in the state from today.
“They will patrol in areas that attract many locals, such as shopping complexes.
“Police will also conduct surveillance at entry points into Kelantan to check whether people are adhering to the SOP.”
Shafien said the authorities would increase the compound rate slapped on those flouting the SOP to ensure the people followed the rules.
“The number of offenders has seen a drop, but of late, people are ignoring the directives and continue to breach the SOP, causing more Covid-19 cases to be recorded each day.
“From now on, police will not tolerate those flouting the SOP. Compounds will be issued and the amount will depend on the offence.
“For those entering Kelantan without approval letters, they will be told to turn back.
“Policemen manning roadblocks have been told to check motorists to ensure they have letters.”
Page 1 pic: A marquee at the Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium in Kota Baru, which was meant for tarawih prayers, is now being converted into a Covid-19 Low-Risk Quarantine and Treatment Centre.