PENANG Agriculture, Agro-based Industries, Rural Development and Health Committee chairman Dr Afif Bahardin has rubbished claims of a coronavirus case in George Town, telling the perpetrators of fake news to stop crying wolf.
He recalled the fable of “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” during a press conference at the Penang International Airport today with the hope that the fake news would not be spread any further.
“I have made an official release and also through tweet. There is no positive case of coronavirus in Penang,” Dr Afif told a press conference today. It was held to show the media the preventive measures being taken by the state health authorities at the airport in the wake of the virus outbreak in Wuhan, China.
“But the WhatsApp news (of the rumour) travelled even faster than the virus.
“The boy cried wolf once and the villagers came out to help him. But there was no wolf. This happened the second time.
“But the third time when a real wolf appeared, the villagers did not help the boy as they thought it was a prank again.
“I don’t want that to happen when it comes to this news of coronavirus.”
Dr Afif said the state was monitoring the situation very closely. He advised the public to practise proper hygiene and added that it was important for the public to verify the news from the Penang Hospital website.
He said while there are three points of entry to Penang, via the Penang International Airport, Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal and the port in Butterworth, the focus is now on tourists coming through the airport and the Swettenham Pier.
Also present at the press conference were state Health Department director Dr Asmayani Khalib and health officer Dr Izani Uzair Zubair of the Penang International Entry Point Health Office.
Dr Izani Uzair said his unit has started screening passengers at the airport since Jan 4 for fever, breathlessness and cough.
“Over the last two days, we have screened almost 9,000 passengers. Two, who had fever, were rechecked but were free from the disease,” Dr Izani Uzair said.
The media, after being briefed Dr Izani Uzair on the standard operating procedures carried out by his office, was also taken to the screening area at the arrival gate to see how the screenings of passengers and cabin crew from Taipei were conducted by health officers using thermal scanner.
Those without fever were given Health Alert Card.
These cards are given to passengers from China, Taiwan and Hong Kong because they come from high-risk areas. The details of the passengers and crew will be recorded for follow-up actions if required.
There is also a Health Quarantine Centre in the airport.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi
