JACKIE HAMMERED BY CORONAVIRUS
Facilities at the NSC and NSI will be shut down for sanitisation
HAMMER thrower Jackie Wong has tested positive for Covid-19 and is the first national athlete to have contracted the virus.
The former Sea Games gold medallist is believed to have contracted it from his father, who had also tested positive for the virus.
Jackie met his father in Kuala Lumpur on March 1 before the latter returned to Sarikei a day later.
The senior Wong began to display symptoms on March 4 and was confirmed positive on March 13.
Jackie, who did not display any symptoms of Covid-19, underwent testing for the virus on March 14 at the Sarikei Hospital which returned positive yesterday.
He is now quarantined at the Sibu Hospital.
The Sports Ministry, who announced his positive test yesterday, said they are taking proactive measures to control the spread of the virus at the National Sports Council (NSC) complex in Bukit Jalil.
Sports Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican said facilities which were used by Jackie will be temporarily shut down while screening will be conducted on those who came in contact with him.
“As a precautionary measure for the safety and health of athletes of various sports, facilities at the NSC and National Sports Institute (NSI) which were visited by the athlete will be temporarily closed to undergo full sanitisation,” said Reezal.
“This process is expected to be completed in two or three days. As advised and directed by the Health Ministry, athletes, coaches and staff who were in close contact with Jackie will be separated.
“They have been advised to selfquarantine in the (NSC) hostel. They will also undergo screening.
Malaysian Athletics Federation (MAF) president Datuk S. M. Muthu said the national body have also taken measures to prevent the spread of the virus.
“We are monitoring not only his (Jackie) condition but also other athletes who came into contact with him in the past week,” said Muthu.
“We have postponed all events and training activities until the end of April or as advised by the Health Ministry.”
When contacted, NSC directorgeneral Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail said he is unable to confirm how many athletes have been tested for Covid-19.
“However, we have advised those who have a fever to check with us (NSC), so we can do the necessary.
“The situation is under control at the moment, and all of them are being monitored by their respective NSAs.”
Three national hockey players (Hafiz Zainol, Khaliq Hamirin and Syawal Razak) have been placed under quarantine after it was found that they had attended the Tabligh mass gathering in Sri Petaling, Selangor on Feb 28March 1.
They have been screened, and although they are healthy, they have been told to quarantine themselves at home.
The Health Ministry and NSI will check on them daily.
It is also understood that two other national hockey players are also being monitored as they had come into contact with Jackie.