IPOH: The Perak Health Department today denied that several Orang Asli from Ulu Groh, Gopeng which is now under Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) ran away from their settlement to the jungle.
Department director, Datuk Dr Ding Lay Ming said that were no official reports from the Kampar district Health Office on the incident after a video of several people in personal protective equipment (PPE) crossing a river, had gone viral on social media since Friday.
"The video recording that went viral is of a funeral on Tuesday. The body that had arrived at the settlement was late, about 7pm. Medical officers and two next of kin were already waiting, so they proceeded with the funeral.
"The burial location was across the river. The only way to cross the river is through the bamboo bridge," she said when contacted today.
She said the remains were wrapped in protective layer that had been disinfected as per the procedure for the remains of Covid-19 patients before they are buried.
Dr Ding said security at the village was strictly controlled by the police and the General Operations Force following the detection of 52 positive cases and one death on Sept 8.
She said basic food aid was also provided and coordinated by the Kampar District Disaster Committee and the Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa).
"Up to Friday, 204 positive cases have been reported with six deaths among the Orang Asli there.
"Out of the total number of positive cases, 191 individuals were sent to the Covid-19 Low Risk Treatment Centre (PKRC) in Sungkai and PKRC Arena in Ipoh. 10 others were admitted to the hospital and there was one death at home," he said.
The EMCO at Kampung Ulu Groh in Kampar district is effective for 14 days from Sept 12 to Sept 25.
