MIRI: Three patients from the Miri Red Crescent Dialysis Centre (MRCDC) have tested positive for Covid-19.
This was revealed during the MRCDC management committee meeting chaired by Datuk Lee Kim Shin, who is also the chairman of the Miri Red Crescent (MRC) kidney dialysis committee, last Saturday.
Two of them contracted the virus from outside sources, while the other one is still under investigation by the Miri Divisional Health Office.
Due to this, 15 nurses and nine dialysis assistants who were identified as close contacts have undergone swab tests and are awaiting results while on home quarantine.
It is also noted that staff members fully complied with the guidelines and wore their prescribed personal protective equipment (PPE) when treating patients.
“The MRCDC have always placed great importance on hygiene, complying with the standard operating procedures (SOPs), and prioritising the needs and safety of patients,” said Lee, who is also Transport Minister.
As an enhanced preventive measure, the MRCDC committee has also instructed the dialysis centre’s operations management to now provide face shields to all patients that must be used at all times in addition to using face masks while undergoing dialysis.
As for other patients that have had close contact with the positive cases, they have been identified and will carry out their dialysis on separate shifts from other patients.
They have also been advised to not leave their homes except to go for dialysis or for emergencies.
The MRCDC currently has 76 haemodialysis machines to treat 344 patients.
Among the committee members present during the meeting were Miri Hospital director Dr Jack Wong and Miri Divisional Health officer Dr P. Raviwharmman Packierisamy.
