Man Infected With COVID-19 Dies On Roadside While Walking From Johor To Terengganu
After resigning from his job in Segamat, the ex-security guard decided to go on a 400km journey to be with his family in Kuala Terengganu.
By Arisha Rozaidee — 14 May 2020, 10:10 AM
One of the latest coronavirus-related deaths in Malaysia involved a 30-year-old man found dead in Pahang
During a press conference on Wednesday, 13 May, Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham said that the body tested positive for COVID-19 after an autopsy.
He also explained that the case was still being investigated by the police.
Meanwhile, a local non-profit organisation (NGO) has revealed that the deceased was an ex-security guard at Segamat Hospital in Johor
Skuad Pengurusan Jenazah Malaysia (SPJM) is an NGO that handles Islamic and non-Islamic funerals around the clock.
On Tuesday, 12 May, the forensic department at Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital (HTAA), Kuantan, asked SPJM for help with the burial of one of their patients.
They explained on Facebook, "The deceased was said to be a security guard at Segamat Hospital in Johor. He stayed there alone. His family is based in Kuala Terengganu."
After resigning from his job, the man had decided to return to his family in Terengganu by walking on foot from Johor.
While on his 400km journey, he died by the roadside in Muadzam Shah.
"A family member was told that the deceased had resigned from his position and was planning to find another job there. However, he met a setback as the Movement Control Order (MCO) was implemented in the middle of March."
"He couldn't return to his hometown as he did not own any vehicles and public transport had ceased operations," SPJM added.
"After waiting so long for the MCO to be lifted, he decided to walk on foot from Segamat to Kuala Terengganu."
SPJM also explained that he began his journey on Friday, 8 May. However, he died after four days on the road.
The body was initially taken to Muadzam Shah Hospital for an autopsy but due to COVID-19 concerns, it was then sent to HTAA in Kuantan.
There, the deceased was confirmed to be infected with the novel coronavirus.
SPJM stated that the man's family was informed of his death and had travelled to Kuantan.
"However, they could not afford to bear the costs of the funeral and burial which amounted to RM1,500," they wrote.
Therefore, hospital management had decided to reach out to SPJM so they could help with the process.
The deceased has been safely buried at Setali Muslim Cemetery in Kuantan.
SPJM personnel also shared that they had to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) while handling the body.
According to their Facebook post, the burial rituals took place at the hospital according to the guidelines issued by the Fatwa Committee of the National Council for Islamic Affairs.
"The family members were only allowed to identify the body through a window in the autopsy room," the post read.
"After we were done, Ministry of Health (MOH) officials sprayed our entire body with disinfectant before we returned to the forensic department at HTAA to get ourselves cleaned."
