by Theleaders-Online | March 6, 2020 7:41 am
PUCHONG: UDA Holdings chairman Datuk Hisham Hamdan, also known as Patient-26, said that he never visited Wuhan, China, the epicentre of COVID-19.
In a statement, Hisham said that he only went to Shanghai to attend a conference from Jan 13 to 17.
“There were no concerns about coronavirus in Shanghai at that time. The city’s first recorded case was on Jan 20.
“Given that I returned on Jan 17, and I exhibited symptoms of the disease on Feb 27, it is – as far as medical testing is concerned – it is not possible for me to have been infected by the virus from my trip to Shanghai, ” he said.
Yesterday, Health Ministry director general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said that several other have been confirmed infected with coronavirus as they were in close contact with Patient-26.
Hisham admitted that he had attended a company meeting on Feb 24. However, the13 non-UDA board and management staff were all tested negative.
“I also attended a ministerial function in my capacity as UDA chairman on Feb 27, but I would like to clarify that I did not attend any political functions,” he added.
The businessman took the opportunity to thank the entire medical professionals and Health Ministry for dealing with this disease.
“I trust that we will all be guided by facts as well as the exemplary work done by the entire medical professionals at the Health Ministry. I thank them all for their service to our country.
“I also call upon the public to give them your full support, to use facts before spreading news or opinions, and to respect the confidentiality and privacy of individuals going through their recovery period,” Hisham said.
By Irman Hashim
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