Doctor Shares How Patients Skipped Quarantine After COVID-19 Tests

Patients skip quarantine after getting COVID-19 tests

During these difficult times, it’s important for us to heed medical advice to keep safe from COVID-19 and not put others at risk too. However, it seems that some individuals have a hard time following guidelines set out to help contain the virus.

A Malaysian has been sharing stories of patients skipping the quarantine period after getting swabbed for COVID-19, only to learn that they have tested positive for the virus later on. According to her, one went to work while another had their parents visit them before their results were in. Several of them also claimed that the swab tests were inaccurate when they were notified that they were positive.

Confirmed COVID-19 patients skip quarantine

On 8th May 2021, Aida Zabidi, a doctor, took to her personal Facebook page to share stories of irresponsible patients. These were told to her her by a friend, also a doctor, who works at a testing centre.

The first case involved a man, who was a close contact of a COVID-19 positive patient.

When informed that he had tested positive too, he allegedly accused the doctor involved in the testing procedure of being wrong. He also admitted to having a big buka puasa event at his house, with kids and his parents in attendance, even though he was supposed to be in quarantine.

Image adapted from: Aida Zabidi

The second story was also of a patient who tested positive for COVID-19. When the patient was informed of her test results, she was quoted saying to Aida’s friend, “Oh no, doctor. I already went back to work after the [COVID-19] swab [test]. Then ah, I went for lunch [and] also [visited] my in-laws after that.”

Her rationale for her decision to go on with her life as usual was that because her swab test result was still unknown, it was her last chance to go out. Otherwise, she would have to be in quarantine if her swab test results came back positive.

Like the previous case, she was also uncertain about the results and requested to get a second test “just to confirm”.

Image credit: Aida Zabidi

The last story shared by Aida’s friend involved a family of 5. Their father had previously tested positive for COVID-19, so they had to be swabbed.

While waiting to get swabbed, they were placed in a negative pressure room – or isopods – to minimise contact with others.

However, medical staff found the room empty when they came by to bring them food to buka puasa. Worried that they had fled without getting their tests done, several calls and a full-force search was carried out.

The family was later found eating at a cafe.

Of the 5 family members, 3 was said to have tested positive for COVID-19.

A reminder for all to be responsible at this time

Along with the stories of patients shared online by Aida’s friend, she also took the time to remind Malaysians to be responsible in the unfortunate case they were exposed to COVID-19 too.

This includes self-isolating if they’re sick, and getting tested for COVID-19 if they’re running a fever. If individuals have been in contact with a COVID-19 positive patient, they are considered “patients under investigation” and must quarantine for 10 days even if their swab test results come back negative.

She wanted to spread awareness because she was worried that there may be more cases like the ones mentioned prior that go unreported, as these 3 cases cropped up in just 2 weeks at a single testing centre.

To cap off her post, she reminded everyone to observe SOPs to not put others at risk, and encouraged all to sign up for vaccinations.

Patients skip quarantine and later test positive for COVID-19

It hasn’t been easy times for anyone during the pandemic, and many of us hope to be able to go on with life and travel as we once did before. But in the meantime, we must all play our parts in helping fight COVID-19, whether it means quarantining after testing for COVID-19 and wearing our masks while out to keep everyone and ourselves safe.