KUALA LUMPUR:The public is advised not to lie about their health condition when dealing with frontline staff.

Director-General of Health, Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah sent out the message after a doctor has been infected with COVID-19 after treating a patient who did not inform his true health condition.

"Do not cheat the frontliners. We also need to be protected, we have families, we have friends. Do not victimise the frontliners,” he said through his Facebook.

Dr Noor Hisham also shared a statement from a doctor infected with the virus.

According to Dr Nur Marini Zainal, the patient came to the hospital for a CT scan.

She said the individual was allowed to undergo the test after he confirmed he was in good health.

However, the scan results showed that the individual’s lung condition was similar to that of COVID-19 patients.

The patient later admitted to having a fever and cough for a week when an investigation was conducted.