SANDAKAN: The visiting and operating hours of additional payment counters at the Duchess of Kent Hospital (HDOK) here have been shortened as part of the Covid-19 preventive measures.

HDOK in a statement said the operating hours of the counters located at level one of the hospital’s specialist clinic building have been shortened to 8 am to 12 pm effective Monday until further notice.

“This is to facilitate patients and their families to make payments. The counters at level four of the building will only cater to those making payments for emergency cases,” it said.

The hospital has also shortened its visiting hours to 1 pm to 2 pm and from 5 pm to 6.30 pm daily, including on public holidays.

In order to control the spread of the disease, only two visitors per patient are allowed at any one time and children below 12 are strictly barred from visiting the hospital wards. 

“Visitors with an influenza-like illness such as sore throat, flu, fever, vomiting and diarrhea are also not allowed to enter the ward,” the statement said.

HDOK is a designated hospital to handle cases of suspected and positive Covid-19 infection in Sandakan.The Sabah Health Department has identified 49 cases in the state as of yesterday and of the total two were in Sandakan. – Bernama