KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13 — Hospital beds have been increased from 6,000 to 8,000 and the number continues to rise, Deputy Health Director-General (Public Health) Datuk Dr Chong Chee Kheong said today.

Dr Chong, who heads the special Greater Klang Valley Task Force, said that the Ministry of Health (MoH) can only cope with the current bed situation for two weeks.

"Since the formation of the task force one month ago, we have increased the bed capacity in the Greater Klang Valley from 6,000 to 8,000.

"However, we will need to add beds continuously if the admission numbers do not fall.

"For now, the current bed capacity can sustain the situation for two weeks,” he said.

On the digital Home Surveillance Order (HSO), Dr Chong said that the MoH is now carrying out a pilot project on the use of digital trackers.

These devices had been suggested for individuals returning from overseas, close contacts, those who are experiencing Covid-19 symptoms while awaiting their test results, as well as category one and two Covid-19 patients who have been ordered to undergo mandatory home quarantine.

"Via the execution of the quarantine control system, the individuals can be monitored more effectively and at the same time, the health details of the individual can be obtained digitally.

"To date, the MoH is carrying out the pilot project using 1,000 digital trackers on travellers who arrived from abroad, who have obtained permission to undergo the mandatory quarantine at home,” Dr Chong added.

He said that the project is done via outsourcing, whereby the monitoring services are conducted fully by the company assigned, while enforcement would be jointly carried out by the MoH and the police.

"Therefore, the complete procurement of 30,000 digital trackers will be made,” Dr Chong added.