By Jaythaleela K
MIRI, May 14: Minister-in-charge of Miri Divisional Disaster Management Committee, Datuk Lee Kim Shin has expressed his thanks to Taiwan Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, Miri for helping to set up an additional 85 beds at Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club yesterday (May 13).
The society provides 85 foldable beds, pillows and mattresses while earlier on, the society has also set up 60 beds at the same location.
In total, they have set up 145 beds at Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club here which is established as a Quarantine And Low-Risk Treatment Centre (PKRC) for Covid-19 patients.
Early this year, the society has also provided 30 foldable beds, mattresses and pillows at the Games Village of Miri (Kampung Sukan) which was also set up as a PKRC.
The management of Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club has also set up several new rooms to accommodate another 24 beds. Altogether, another 109 new beds have been added.
In total, Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club can now accommodate 472 patients.
On Thursday (May 13), Malaysia Civil Defence Force (APM) helped to supply 15 cubicle tents and put them up at one of the Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club’s halls.
Two beds with mattresses, pillows and blankets can be set up in one tent.
These tents will complement to provide some privacy to those who are receiving treatments in the halls. Altogether, there are 75 tents in the premise, Lee said.
At present, Miri Hospital plus six Quarantine and Treatment Centres have a total capacity of 1,152 beds.
In view of the recent surge of Covid-19 positive cases, Lee said there is an urgent need to increase the number of beds to accommodate the patients.
“Presently, about 1,100 beds have been used up. Hence the urgency to have standby additional beds in case of another sudden surge in number of patients,” he said.
This was the decision made at the Miri Divisional Disaster Management Meeting on Wednesday (12th May) chaired by Lee himself via Zoom, with the additional 109 beds.
He said the purpose of adding more beds is to be prepared should there be an increase in the number of positive cases, including those from the rural areas, kampungs and longhouses from other districts in Miri Division, such as Beluru, Subis, Telang Usan and Marudi.
Also present at the setting of additional beds with Lee were Miri Hospital director Dr Jack Wong, doctor-in-charge of PKRC Dr Grace Lee, volunteers from Taiwan Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation Miri besides Cr Kueh Chie Tiong and Alex Chung Jih Chyuan who are CEO and executive manager of Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club respectively.
Lee has also appealed to everyone to comply with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) and also to take good care of their own safety.
“Stay vigilant and stay healthy to put a stop on the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic,” he concluded. — DayakDaily
