A total of 95 Singaporeans who attended a religious gathering in the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur and have potentially exposed themselves to the coronavirus, have been urged to seek medical attention immediately.
Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Home Affairs Amrin Amin put up a Facebook post on March 12 at 5pm urging the 95 persons to present themselves at clinics for health checks.
Amrin wrote: "There is no shame in contracting COVID-19 and getting help for it. Anyone can get it – that’s the problem. But it’s another thing altogether to avoid checks in face of a real risk and then infect others."
His post comes after minister for environment and water resources Masagos Zulkifli put up a similar plea for the local Muslim community to observe good hygiene practices:
Amrin's post in full:
I am concerned about this. Maybe you can help?
One COVID-19 case in Brunei confirmed from a religious gathering in Masjid Seri Petaling, Selangor. 95 Singaporeans were reported at that gathering.
If you know any of the 95 Singaporeans, please ask them to visit a clinic, and go for a health check. This is important to prevent spread of COVID-19 virus within the community.
There is no shame in contracting COVID-19 and getting help for it. Anyone can get it – that’s the problem. But it’s another thing altogether to avoid checks in face of a real risk and then infect others.
I hope you will help. Encourage your family and friends, support each other through this.
Background
The apparent urgency for those potentially exposed to the virus to seek help stemmed from a confirmed Covid-19 diagnosis in Brunei, as a result of a man visiting the mosque in Masjid Seri Petaling, Selangor, at the outskirts of KL.
The Malaysian health ministry said on March 11 that contact tracing had been initiated.
The 95 Singaporeans were among an estimated 10,000 attendees from several countries.
Malaysian authorities are tracking down about 5,000 of its own citizens dispersed throughout the peninsular, after they attended the event.
Top photo via TTKM