RMO Day 8 - Order Extended
No, I did not paint those …
It has certainly been a day of announcements. It started out with the news that both A-Levels and I-GCSE examinations for this summer had been cancelled. This created a headache, less so for I-GSCE, since Idlan had already planned the subject he wanted to take for A-Levels later this year. The final decision on how the grades would be avoided was still up in limbo, and I am sure in the coming fortnight, things would be clearer.
Then during lunchtime, came the half-expected decision that the Restriction Movement Order would be extended for a further two weeks, until 14th April. That would take us near Ramadhan. The numbers of new COVID case seemed to be levelling off quite a bit, but we will find more cases in the coming weeks with the planned mass screening in place by next week - a move which I fully support.
Sitting at my balcony all afternoon
With gorgeous sun outside. Agony!
Since the incubation period of the virus is around two weeks, restricting movement in double the duration of incubation is a good idea, which will help to eradicate spread in the second generation transmission of the original cohort. More KKM Staffs are also being mobilised at the moment, with more hospitals being designated COVID centres. Hopefully, the expected surge of cases would never come. We have to be prepared.
SJMC also would be doing PCR diagnostic in-house from tomorrow which would hopefully make early detection possible. Our sister hospital, Park City Medical Centre, also started their walk-in diagnostic service since yesterday afternoon. There were a few teething problems, but hopefully, in the next few days, those would be ironed out. We have yet to receive any clear directive from the Ministry on what our role would be if the situation worsens.
Ended up reviewing some papers submitted for a local journal …
With the announcement came further news of stimulus packages as well as a directive from Bank Negara to defer loan payments for six months. Certainly, we would need to be ready for the long haul. But, there are too many uncertainties still across the land, and hopefully, we would be able to hold things together until the order is lifted.
Things are gearing up nicely towards the weekend when I will be doing Physician call. Hopefully, no suspect cases past through our doors, but it does, we will face it and do as directed. We certainly have the tools in place.