Hospitals will have difficulties if COVID-19 cases reach 5,000 a day - Ismail Sabri

KOTA BHARU:The government admits that it will face difficulties in meeting the needs of patients in hospitals if new COVID-19 cases exceed 5,000 a day.

Senior Minister (Defence Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the lack of bed facilities was one of the problems of concern as stated by the Director-General of Health, Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

"There is a worry in terms of beds, we fear there will not be enough. That's worrying.

“So far, we can still accommodate even if the case reaches 2,000 or more than 3,000 (a day) but if 5,000 a day, it will be quite difficult to meet the needs but it has not reached that yet.

"Because it has not reached that number, our responsibility is to ensure that it will not come to that.

“So, if all citizens cooperate in complying with the SOP, God willing, we will be able to flatten the curve of infections," he said when met at the handover of flood relief items to local leaders at Dewan Hamid Bidin, Pengkalan Chepa Camp here today.

On whether the government would open more quarantine and COVID-19 treatment centres in the states, he explained the matter would be discussed.