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MoH, Nadma draw-up SOPs for floods during Covid-19

November 30, 2021
Source:  2021 © New Straits Times

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By Kalbana Perimbanayagam - November 29, 2021 @ 9:42pm

KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry together with the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) has drawn up and issued a list of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for floods during the Covid-19 pandemic, ahead of the year-end monsoon season.

Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the SOPs drawn up the ministry and Nadma is a safety guideline and precautionary advice on the dos and don't's in case of floods and flood management.

"A natural disaster such as floods during a pandemic poses a different kind of challenge in the Covid-19 situation, for both the evacuees as well as authorities. We must use new and systematic practices in the process of rescue, evacuation and placing them at a Temporary Evacuation Centres (PPS) without exposing anyone to the risk of Covid-19," he said.

Dr Noor Hisham said in the current situation while the nation recovers from the pandemic, any sort of natural disaster could worsen the present Covid-19 situation.

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"Based on the Malaysian Meteorological Department advisory on Nov 1, several states are at risk of monsoon floods starting Nov 3 up till March next year, thus the need for new flood management SOPs.

"In case of a flood and evacuation is required, the authorities must make sure that the flood victims are screened for Covid 19 before they are placed at any of the temporary evacuation shelters," he said in a statement this evening.

He said those with symptoms and health risk factors will also be isolated, tested and placed separately until the results are confirmed negative.

"Anyone with symptoms is required to take a screening test to prevent the occurrence of new clusters among flood victims in any PPS."

Dr Noor Hisham said individuals who were confirmed infected will be isolated at Covid-19 Low-Risk Quarantine and Treatment Centre (PKRC), special PPS or referred to the hospitals if needed.

He said the individuals' close contacts or those listed as Patient Under Surveillance (PUS) would also be quarantined at the same Special PPS or PPS but in different blocks.

"The same applies to anyone who has the symptoms but tests negative for Covid-19. They too will be quarantined separately," Dr Noor Hisham added.

He urged flood victims who required evacuation or temporary shelter at PPS to cooperate with the relevant authorities and follow the flood management SOPs at all times, to ensure no new clusters emerge at the evacuation centres.

"Flood victims and emergency responders are required to always wear face masks, keep a safe distance, avoid gathering around and wash hands regularly, especially if you share public amenities.

"For high-risk groups such as pregnant women, the elderly, as well as those with chronic diseases, he suggested that they be evacuated earlier. Ensure that you have the necessary medications," he said.

Dr Noor Hisham said the public should also be sensitive to the current situation and take care of their hygiene and safety during floods to prevent other diseases brought about by floods.

"They should avoid playing with floodwater especially if they have wounds or skin problems to avoid the risk of Leptospirosis (rat urine infection) and Melioidosis which are transmitted through contaminated floodwater.

"Individuals are also advised to use personal protective equipment such as shoes and rubber gloves during cleaning activities, especially if it involves mud floods, ensure that drinking water sources are boiled first to prevent waterborne diseases and food Poisoning, Cholera, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, and Acute Gastroenteritis (AGE)," he said.