by Theleaders-Online | February 10, 2020 7:28 am
KUCHING: A reporter from a local newspaper, Suara Sarawak, has been placed under house quarantine on suspicion of having contracted the novel coronavirus.
Aina Azizah Yeo, 24 (pix), who has been working with the media outlet for three months, is reported as saying that she unintentionally came into contact with five Chinese nationals at a shopping complex at Jalan Padungan here, in the second week of January.
“This ordeal started after I visited a clinic in Kota Sentosa on Feb 6 at 11.20am for health inspection, especially as I was having flu and cough for the past few days,” she said in sharing her ordeal in a report published yesterday.
“I decided to undergo a health inspection after seeing a counter doing screening for the novel coronavirus for free at the clinic. At that time, I wanted to understand what patients went through when they were being screened.”
During the screening, she was asked a few questions by health personnel manning the counter, concerning her whereabouts for the past two weeks and her health status.
Aina added she was also asked whether she had been to China in the past 14 days or been in contact with Chinese nationals.
After hearing that she had come into contact with Chinese nationals, she was immediately brought to a scanning centre where a doctor and medical assistant explained the protocol to her.
She said the sight of medical personnel in Hazmat suits shocked her, and she was later transported to Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) where she was placed in an isolation ward.
“It was my first time being transported in an ambulance with everyone around me wearing Hazmat suits. The entire cabin of the ambulance was covered in plastic including the seats.”
Aina said she then contacted her parents, asking them to send over her clothes and other personal belongings, and told them not to panic.
In the ward, she said swabs were taken from here and sent for testing, while a chest scan was also carried out.
She was also repeatedly questioned on her contact with the Chinese nationals.
“My answer was the same. I unintentionally touched them while doing my job (as a reporter).”
She said each patient suspected of contracting the virus would be placed in an individual room within the ward.
While there is air-conditioning, toilet and bed in each room, there are no windows or television.
Aina has been informed that she would be quarantined while her samples are being sent to and examined in Kuala Lumpur, with the process expected to be completed in 12 days.
Aina said she was allowed to depart the isolation ward at about 11.30pm on the second day (Feb 7) and is currently under home quarantine, along with her family, for two weeks starting Feb 7.
“I am not allowed to leave my bedroom except to get fresh air,” she said.
— TheBorneoPost
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