COVID-19: Five new clusters detected today

KUALA LUMPUR: Five new COVID-19 clusters have been detected in the country, namely the Tujuh Serangkai and Tanamera clusters in Sabah; Jalan Pantai Cluster in Kuala Lumpur; Bah Arnab Cluster in Sarawak, and Bah Bangat Cluster in Labuan.

Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the Tujuh Serangkai Cluster in Tuaran, Sabah, involved index case number 11,569 who underwent symptomatic screening on Oct 5, and was admitted to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for treatment.

"Following that, screenings were conducted on close contacts, and 22 more positive COVID-19 cases have been identified while 302 individuals are still awaiting results," he said during his daily press conference broadcast via Facebook here, today.

For the Tanamera Cluster, in Tawau, Sabah, Dr Noor Hisham said it involved index case number 12,868, who was identified positive after a screening done on Sept 29, and admitted to the Tawau Hospital.

"Based on screenings done on close contacts, eight more positive cases have been detected while three more individuals are still waiting for the results," he said.

On the Jalan Pantai Cluster, in Lembah Pantai, Kuala Lumpur, Dr Noor Hisham said the index cases for the cluster, namely case number 14,265 and 14,266 were detected positive in a screening done on Oct 8 and admitted to the Sungai Buloh Hospital.

"Screenings done on close contacts have detected six more positive cases and seven individuals are still waiting for the results," he said.

Commenting on the Bah Arnab Cluster in Kuching, Sarawak, he said the index case for the cluster was case number 13,488, identified upon his return from a high-risk area in Sabah on Oct 7, and was admitted to Sarawak General Hospital.

"Following that, screenings carried out on close contacts have found three more positive cases," he said.

Dr Noor Hisham said the index case for the Bah Bangat Cluster in Labuan was case number 12,377, detected positive on Oct 3, also upon returning from a high-risk area in Sabah.

"Screenings on close contacts have detected eight more positive cases and they have been admitted to Labuan Hospital for treatment.

He said the causes of infection for all the new clusters were still under investigation.

Apart from the five clusters, other clusters that recorded an increase in the number of cases included the Tembok Cluster (14 cases); Jalan Meru Cluster (12 cases), Ramai-Ramai Cluster (six cases); Laut Cluster (five cases); Benteng LD Cluster (three cases); Bah Puchong Cluster (two cases) while the Bah Sintok Cluster, Selasih Cluster, Prison Remand Cluster each recorded one new case.

-- BERNAMA