KOTA KINABALU: The Queen Elizabeth Hospital 1 here was relatively quiet today, with less people after the state health department announced a restriction on visitations to minimise the possible spread of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19).
The hospital is usually packed with family members, including children, who come to visit sick relatives.
Visitors usually hang around for many hours in and outside the lobby.
However, a check at the hospital this morning saw only a small number of patients turning up to seek medical attention.
At the hospital compound, there were mostly security guards and food delivery riders. Most of those at the hospital, including staff, were seen wearing masks.
The hospital daily visiting hours have been shortened; it is now 1pm to 2pm and 5pm to 6.30pm. This includes visiting hours during weekends and public holidays.
Yesterday, Sabah health director Datuk Dr Christina Rundi said the department has made several changes on hospital operations since the second wave of the novel coronavirus outbreak hit Sabah.
Such changes involved the opening of Fever Screening Centre at all hospitals, whereby those with symptoms and travel history to affected countries are required to undergo inspection.
Six Covid-19 wards were also opened at six hospitals namely in Kota Kinabalu (Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and Women and Children Hospital); Sandakan (Duchess of Kent Hospital); Tawau (district hospital); Lahad Datu (district hospital); and Keningau (district hospital).
Rundi said elective operations at specialised hospitals were also postponed to reduce number of patients and to prevent spread.
"We hope all affected patients understand the changes. However, emergency operation still continues.
"The department is also limiting visitors to hospitals, and we encourage patients with long-term prescriptions to get their follow-up medicine supply through a pharmacy service," she said.
Patients concerned may contact JKNS pharmacy service unit at 088-257258 / 088-210963.
On blood donation, Rundi said it will continue to ensure blood supply at hospitals is not affected by the outbreak, adding blood donation programme involving not more than 50 people can be carried out by taking suitable preventive action.
She also encouraged blood donors to go to any blood bank hospital directly throughout the state, adding that precautionary steps will be taken during the blood donation process.