The
world's largest maker of latex gloves has racked up record
profits this year on sky-rocketing demand for its products and
protective gear, thanks to the pandemic.
But 28 factory buildings will be shut in phases after 2,453
workers tested positive for the virus, from 5,767 screened, said
Director-General of Health Noor Hisham Abdullah.
"All those who tested positive have been hospitalised and their
close contacts have been quarantined to avoid infecting other
workers," Noor Hisham said.
Most of the total 2,524 positive cases in the cluster were
factory workers, with 2,360 foreigners and 164 Malaysians, he
said.
Senior Security Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said on the health
ministry's advice and risk evaluation, the government has agreed
that some of Top Glove factories be closed in stages, to allow
further screening and quarantine.
He did not say when the closures would begin, however.
Top Glove said in a stock exchange filing that it has
temporarily stopped production at 16 facilities in the area
since last Wednesday, with the balance of 12 facilities
operating at much reduced capacities.
"We have completed full screening of about 5,700 workers at our
hostels. We are committed to proceed with the (health ministry)
recommended COVID-19 screening test of the balance (of) workers
and staff at our factories in Meru, Klang," it said.
Last week, the government ordered 14-day curbs through Nov. 30
in parts of a district about 40 kms (24.8 miles) west of the
capital Kuala Lumpur, where Top Glove factories and dormitories
are located.
Analysts had said the curbs did not change earnings forecasts
for the company but they could re-assess projections if
infections at the factories rise sharply and curbs are extended.
Infections in Malaysia have been increasing sharply since
October, prompting the government to tighten movement curbs.
Total cases rose to 56,659 on Monday.
(Reporting by Rozanna Latiff and Liz Lee; Editing by Toby
Chopra, Clarence Fernandez and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
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