Page 91 - MALAYSIA HEALTH SECTOR RESPONSE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC: PERSPECTIVES FROM THE FIELD

The number of cases seen in this cluster rose swiftly; on the 1st of October,
a total of 91 cases were reported . The following day, total cases reported
35
more than doubled, to 220 cases, including transmission to second-
generation contacts. By 5th October, the total cases reported reached 653,
36
with an additional 224 new cases for that day alone . A total of 772 people
were screened at Pokok Sena prison, including staff and inmates; 71 of them

34
were found positive . On the 6th October, with aggressive screening and
contact tracing, total cases had reached 1,047; TEMCO began the same
38
37
day . Although a total of 139 new cases were reported on the 7th October ,

with the implementation of TEMCO the day before, the risk of transmission
to the local community had been greatly minimised. Subsequently, a small
number of new cases were reported; thus, by 31st October 2020, a less
steep increase was seen with cases amounting to 1,305 . As of 31st
39
December 2020, the total overall covid-19 cases reported in this cluster
COVID-19
were 3,162 cases 40 .

4.3 Health Sector Response towards COVID-19 Transmission in Prisons or
Temporary Detention Centres

Establishment of PKRC
At the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak involving prison or PTS, the
infected prisoners were sent to hospitals for treatment purposes. However,
as the number of COVID-19 cases among prisoners rocketed tremendously
and due to security concerns, PKRCs were established in prisons and
temporary detention centres to accommodate prisoners infected with
COVID-19. In prisons and temporary detention centres, many prison cells
34
were allocated to isolate, quarantine, and treat COVID-19 patients .

Establishment of makeshift treatment centres
MTC was established to manage further the surge of cases occurring within
the prison. MOH Malaysia had the first meeting with ATM to establish MTC
41
Pokok Sena Prison in October 2020 . Coordination meetings from the
ministerial level down to the ground level were held with all the agencies
involved. This MTC became a reality with a strong commitment from the
Ministry of Defence and their health service division. For example, the MTC
Pokok Sena Prison was a field hospital that was established in collaboration
with ATM and with aid from multi-agencies in the mid of October 2020
within the area of the prison.

THIRD WAVE IS COMING 89 THIRD WAVE IS COMING 55