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State Health and People's Wellbeing minister Datuk Frankie Poon (centre) and Sabah Health Department Director Datuk Christina Rundi (left) during a press confernece after the launching of Sabah Healthline WhatAspp channel at INTAN campus in Tuaran. -NSTP/OLIVIA MIWIL.
- January 30, 2020 @ 12:22pm
TUARAN: Sabah Health department had ruled out 25 China nationals from 2019-nCov infection, said its director Datuk Dr Christina Rundi.
"These tourists were referred to us by hoteliers, airlines and (authorities) from points of entry.
"As of Jan 28, all of them categorised as Person Under Investigation (PUI) were tested negative for the coronavirus infection," she said, adding that there were only two government referral hospitals –Queen Elizabeth hospital and Likas Women and Children's Hospital – in charge of such infectious disease.
She was speaking to reporters after the launching of Sabah Healthline WhatsApp channel at INTAN campus near here.
Also present was State Health and People's Wellbeing minister Datuk Frankie Poon.
Dr Christina added that the department and ministry have been alert on such situation and taken necessary measures based on past experience to contain the new disease.
She said the government has been working closely with the hospitality and tourism fraternity in the wake of coronavirus outbreak.
"We have engaged with tour operators and hotels. There is awareness as the tourism players know the right channel and procedures to handle (tourists who have symptoms) instead of spreading it (via social media)."
Meanwhile, on a 71-year-old China tourist who tested positive for coronavirus in Tianjin, China upon visiting places of attraction in Sabah, Poon said the authorities had done necessary screening.
The Health Ministry has also put anyone with contacts with the sick tourist previously under close watch should they develop any signs of infection.
“He (the tourist) could be developing the symptom anytime or after he visited Sabah. But, we are talking about incubation period which could range between one and two weeks.
“When a person comes in without a temperature (above 37.4 degree Celcius) or show signs, we do not lock people in a hospital," he said, adding that it is important for public to practice good hygiene to minimise risk of infection.
Earlier, the state Health Department launched its Sabah Healthline WhatsApp application to improve its existing services in additional to other platforms such as website, email and Facebook page.
The public can communicate for inquiries and complaints with the department by sending messages to 0198602929.
Previously, the department had received 2,033 complaints from the public between 2017 and Sept 2019.
The nature of the complaints includes long waiting hours, absent of medical personnel and spoilt devices, among others.
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