Police officers quarantined for COVID-19
Police personnel have been quarantined for exposure to COVID-19 positive colleagues
Image adapted from: PDRM
The number of COVID-19 cases in Malaysia has surpassed the 4,000 mark today (8 Apr) as 156 new cases have just been recorded. There are positive signs that the spread of the virus is under control. But another worrying development has cropped up: 66 police officers have tested positive for the virus.
This has caused a total of 1,225 personnel to be put in quarantine. It only goes to show just how easily the virus can spread when our guards are down. And the ones who’re getting infected are our frontliners.
1,225 personnel under quarantine
According to a report by The Star, Comm Datuk Seri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani confirmed the numbers as of 7th April 2020.
He said that there are 155 senior police personnel and 654 rank-and-file among those quarantined for 14 days. Additionally, 381 family members have been put under quarantine. He added that all are being monitored closely.
Police officers have been working at the frontlines ever since the MCO was implemented
Image credit: PDRM
The police personnel are presumably among the frontliners who’ve been exposed to the virus while carrying out their MCO duties. Similarly, there have been previous reports of significant numbers of medical personnel testing positive for the virus.
Number of COVID-19 cases surge past 4,000
As of 8th April 2020, the number of COVID-19 cases stand at 4,119. The death toll has also been steadily increasing with the virus claiming a total of 65 lives in Malaysia.
On the flipside 1,487 patients have successfully recovered – that’s an impressive 36% recovery rate. Likewise, more efforts such as public sanitation and stricter MCO orders are being carried out. Active treatment testings are also underway to find a more efficient method to deal with the virus.
The large number of police personnel and family members affected by the virus is worrying. Especially since they have to be put out of action for at least 14 days. This makes it clear how important it is for Malaysians to do their part by staying at home and limiting contact with others.
Read the latest COVID-19 updates here: