KOTA BARU: Temporary tents set up at the Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium which was to be used for terawih prayers or locally known as "Madinah Ramadan" will be converted into Covid-19 Low-Risk Quarantine and Treatment Centres (PKRC).
State Local Government, Health and Housing Committee chairman Dr Izani Husin said the move was taken after all eight hospitals and five PKRCs statewide reached between 80 per cent and full capacity for patients.
"This shows that the Covid-19 situation in the state has now reached a critical condition.
"Our treatment centres are almost reaching the maximum level and therefore, the state government through the state health department has come out with several measures to resolve the problem.
"Apart from turning the Madinah Ramadan venue as the new PKRC for Kelantan, we are also looking at setting up a field hospital in the state if the situation continues to worsen or the present PKRCs are insufficient to cope with the rising number of patients," he told reporters after attending a special state security subcommittee meeting at the Darul Naim Complex here today.
The one-hour meeting was chaired by Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob. Also present were Ahmad's deputy Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah and state health director Datuk Dr Zaini Hussin.
"This situation is serious and we (the state government) hope locals especially traders will understand and accept (the decision) it with an open heart," he added, referring to the state's decision to also ban Ramadan bazaars.
The eight hospitals in Kelantan includes the Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital (Kota Baru), Tengku Anis Hospital (Pasir Puteh), Kuala Krai Hospital and the Jeli hospital.
Among the five PKRCs operating are the MPKB's Silver Jubilee Hall (Kota Baru), Pasir Mas Hospital's hostel and Tumpat Training Centre.