98 crewmen of Malaysian navy ship test positive for COVID-19
09 June, 2021
Ninety-8 crewmen of the Royal Malaysian Navy ship KD Mahawangsa own tried positive for COVID-19, Malaysia's Ministry of Defence confirmed on Tuesday (Jun 8).
Senior Minister of Defence Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the crew took antigen speedy tests before boarding the ship, but were confirmed to maintain positivity for COVID-19 just after a few days on board.
None of the crew associates have demonstrated any symptoms so far, said Mr Ismail Sabri, adding that that they had all been isolated and located under quarantine.
Speaking for a press conference, he said they'll be tested once again after 10 days and will be permitted to disembark in the event the test outcomes are negative.
The senior minister was visiting a drive-through vaccination centre at the Sungai Besi armed service camp. Wellbeing Minister Adham Baba and Chief of Defence Force Standard Affendi Buang were likewise present.
Mr Ismail Sabri said the ministry had but to ascertain the way the crew of the ship were contaminated with the coronavirus.
"As we realize, COVID-19 is in the community. These crewmen will need to have been contaminated with COVID-19 before they boarded the ship, probably if they were in the home or while investing in groceries at a supermarket," he said.
The senior minister also said he was in discussions with the COVID-19 Vaccine Supply Access Guarantee Special Committee on the opportunity of allowing the Ministry of Defence to receive vaccine supplies directly from Pharmaniaga.
The Malaysian pharmaceutical group is in charge of bottling the Sinovac vaccine.
Mr Ismail Sabri said that in so doing, herd immunity for armed service employees and civil servants beneath the ministry, and also their families, could be achieved faster.
"Overall, we have 500,000 employees including their families and we aim for 200,000 to come to be vaccinated per month to enable us to attain herd immunity within 90 days," he added.
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