Hospital Unable To Trace Over 100 COVID-19 Positive People Due To Fake Contact Information

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According to New Straits Times, MOH is struggling with identifying and contacting the COVID-19 positive patients due to false contact information provided.

The individuals tested positive for COVID-19 at the Bintulu Hospital, Sarawak between 12 and 21 April, Bintulu member of parliament Dato Seri Tiong King Sing said.

Tiong urged the individuals to seek treatment at Bintulu Hospital within 24 hours.

He mentioned to New Sarawak Tribune that the individuals provided false personal information such as contact details and residential addresses. Due to that, hospital staff members are unable to contact them for treatment and isolation purposes.

"All those involved have 24 hours to come to the Bintulu Hospital Emergency Department to be treated and quarantined," he stated yesterday, 25 April.

The local member of parliament warned that individuals who provide false contact information that could mislead the authorities will face legal action, reported New Sarawak Tribune.

"These COVID-19 positive individuals must be aware that besides infecting their families, they also put their entire community at risk by walking around," he lamented.

New Straits Times quoted him saying that such irresponsible behaviour by these individuals would make it difficult for the Bintulu Disaster Management Committee to monitor the spread of the virus in the communities.

"At the same time, I request the help of the public, especially the family members of these individuals to advise them and report to the Bintulu Hospital Emergency Department to enable further action to be taken," Tiong urged.

He told New Sarawak Tribune that some businesses and companies have been forcing their workers to lie to authorities about where they work if they contract the virus. This is to prevent the businesses from short-term suspensions.

"Some supermarkets have been known to 'pakat' (make arrangements) with their workers by deleting shift records if anyone is infected. This is highly irresponsible and should face the full brunt of the law," he explained.

Tiong advised the companies and employers to work together without exceptions during this critical period in fighting COVID-19.

He said that if a positive case is identified at the worksite, the companies should actively play a role in providing to the needs of the affected employees during the 14-day quarantine period.

"These companies must stop blaming others or complaining about the SOPs and start setting a better example by adhering to the SOPs. Otherwise, the lockdowns will never end," he warned.