MELAKA: A total of 16 medical personnel at Alor Gajah Hospital have tested positive for Covid-19 ever since it became a treatment hub two weeks ago, says Datuk Rahmad Mariman.

       The Melaka health and anti-drug committee chairman said that as well as the medical staff, 32 patients and ten of their family members also tested positive for Covid-19.

       "A total of 58 individuals linked to the hospital have tested positive as of Saturday (July 17). Preliminary findings show that the Paya Datuk cluster is allegedly the source of infection at the hospital," he said.

       Rahmad said the Alor Gajah Hospital started admitting Covid-19 patients after the Melaka Hospital was overwhelmed with a high number of cases due to the pandemic.

       He added that the first Covid-19 case involving the medical staff was detected on July 10 at Ward 2A of the hospital.

       "There were also five deaths registered linked to infection at the hospital, and all of them involved patients above the age of 60," he said.

       Rahmad said that the hospital's management has decided to carry out several remedial measures, including no longer accepting patients to Ward 2A and 2B.

       He said those seeking treatment for non-Covid-19 matters would be referred to the Melaka Hospital and the Military Hospital at the Terendak Camp in Sungai Udang here.

       "The operation hours of the Alor Gajah Health Clinic will be also extended to 9.30pm on working days to cope up with non-critical cases," he said.

       Rahmad added that Melaka Health Department, as well as the Alor Gajah Hospital will intensify sanitation works at the hospital.