Coronavirus: Over 1,800 workers, volunteers on standby to help during Thaipusam

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 6 -- More than 1,800 workers and volunteers including 300 Health Ministry staff are on standby to ensure that the Thaipusam celebration goes smoothly, especially in monitoring the 2019 novel coronavirus infection.

Sri Maha Mariamman Temple Devasthanam Batu Caves temple trustee Datuk Dr A.T. Kumararajah  said 24 ambulances were also provided including an ambulance designated as a quarantine centre for precautionary measures.

“This ambulance will be the quarantine centre. If any devotees or visitors to the temple show symptoms of coronavirus or influenza-like-illness (ILI), we will take them directly to Sungai Buloh Hospital for further treatment,” he said when contacted by Bernama today.

Dr Kumararajah, who is also the safety and medical coordinator for the 2020 Thaipusam celebration, said eight government hospitals including Kuala Lumpur Hospital, Putrajaya Hospital and Ampang Hospital were on standby mode in the event of emergency.

According to him, 15 agencies were involved in volunteering including members of the Malaysian Red Crescent Society (PBSM) in collaboration with the National Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre  (CPRC) and the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA).

“In the meantime, the temple committee and organisers in collaboration with Health Ministry have also set up five medical bases, including one at the Batu Caves temple grounds, by the river (in the temple) and at the Batu Caves KTM Station,” he said, adding that more than 1.5 million people were expected to attend the festival at Batu Caves from tonight until the end of this week.

He said all the workers and volunteers were getting ready for the silver chariot procession carrying the statue of the deity Lord Murugan in conjunction with the festival which starts tonight from Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, Jalan Tun HS Lee and is expected to arrive at Batu Caves at 3.00 pm tomorrow.

-- BERNAMA