Page 33 - FIGHT AGAINST UNCERTAINTY 5 FEB 2021

Low Risk COVID-19 Quarantine and Treatment Centres

As part of extension service to the COVID-19 designated admitting hospitals, Low Risk COVID-19
Quarantine and Treatment Centres (PKRC) were established to meet the increasing need for
admission. These centres were used as step-down centres for patients recovering from COVID-19
and awaiting discharge. As cases increased, the centres were also used to admit new cases without
symptoms or with mild illness (Category 1 and 2). As such, hospital beds could be reserved to admit
more serious cases requiring close observation.

Community halls, MOH training institutes such as nursing or allied health colleges, student
accomodations, prisons, temporary detention centres, sport complexes and hostels were examples
of premises used and converted as PKRC. To maintain standard of care, the Medical Programme
provided a guide on criteria of admission and basic requirements of the facility.

During the first wave of the pandemic, a total of 12 PKRC were identified and used. Several other
centres were reserved to be used in case of upsurge of cases. As of 15 November 2020, there were
72 active PKRC nationwide with total bed strength of 11,802 beds to cater for all active cases in
Malaysia. The number of PKRC beds allocation and human resource deployment were dynamic in
response to the pandemic situation.

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1. Coordination meeting at the Ministry of Health Malaysia and
one of the State Health Department on the establishment of
PKRC.
2. A 3-bedded room for Category 1 & 2 patients in PKRC
3. Example of the floor plan in a PKRC
4. Guidelines and criteria for patient admission to PKRC

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