COVID-19: Laboratory capacity, screening test capability increases by almost 35,000 a day

The capacity and laboratory capabilities of sample screening and COVID-19 detection in the country have grown to nearly 35,000 cases a day.

Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said it involved 53 laboratories nationwide compared to 23 previously.

“So, we use the Public Health Lab Information System (Simka).

"With Simka, we need to get data from the public and private laboratories, we collect and keep track of the cases that are being implemented," he said at a press conference here today.

However, Dr Noor Hisham said the MoH did not provide free services to the public to undergo the COVID-19 sample test.

He said the test would only be carried out if the individuals involved had the criteria set by the MOH.

“We only provide for patients under surveillance (PUI), those returning from overseas and those suspected in the case detection group or close contacts.

"If they are exposed to positive cases, we will do (screening at the MOH hospital), but if they come forward to be screened (without the criteria set), we will not do it," he said.