At a press conference, the ministry’s Klang Valley task force chief Dr Chong Chee Kheong said the virtual CACs will cater to Category 1 and 2 patients.
“Monitoring will be done virtually without having to be present at a CAC. A digital home surveillance order (HSO) will be issued through the MySejahtera app.”
Chong said this was in compliance with the law. He also said although those under HSO would not be given any wristbands, they still needed to stay at home.
Earlier this week, it was reported that CACs in the Klang Valley were packed with people, leading to long queues spilling into nearby residential areas.
On another matter, Chong, who is also the health deputy director-general (public health), said the government will increase the bed capacity in Klang Valley hospitals, including in the intensive care units (ICUs) and normal wards.
“Some 40% of patients in hospitals have serious symptoms and need respiratory assistance.”
Today’s announcement that virtual CACs will be set up comes after criticisms of the current system by health experts such as former deputy health minister Dr Lee Boon Chye, who recently told FMT he was shocked that Covid-19 patients had to gather at stadiums for health assessments.
Lee said medical staff could carry out Covid-19 health assessments through video calls for those who test positive as registered on the MySejahtera app, adding that these assessments could also be followed up with a WhatsApp or text message.
He added that only those without internet connection or were unsure of their condition should visit the assessment centres, stating that this would reduce crowds at CACs by 80% to 90%.
The Klang Valley has been the epicentre of the latest surge in Covid-19 cases, with the number of new cases reaching five new record highs over the last seven days.
Earlier today, the health ministry said that a record 13,215 Covid-19 cases were detected over the past 24 hours, with Selangor recording the highest number of cases with 6,120, followed by Negeri Sembilan (1,603) and Kuala Lumpur (1,499).
He added that the health ministry had also redeployed 1,190 healthcare workers to Klang Valley (Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya) and Negeri Sembilan.
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