COVID-19: Two new clusters in Sabah, one in Kuala Lumpur detected

KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry (MOH) has detected three new clusters, two in Sabah, namely, Buang Sayang Cluster and Kg Sakong Cluster, while one discovered in Kuala Lumpur known as Setapak Cluster.

Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the Buang Sayang Cluster was detected in Sipitang, Sabah, with the index case (case 10,265) had travel history to Sipitang from Sept 7 to 20.

"The case began to experience symptoms of fever, flu and sore throat on Sept 19 and was later admitted to a medical centre. COVID-19 screening was positive on Sept 20 and the case was transferred to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Sabah.

"Following that, active case detection and close contact screening were carried out where a total of 10 individuals were screened, and as at today four cases tested positive, while six individuals are still waiting for results," he said in a statement today.

Meanwhile, the Kg Sakong Cluster was detected in Semporna, Sabah, with the index case (case 10,154) testing positive on Sept 18 through community screening. The case is asymptomatic and was admitted to Tawau Hospital for treatment.

Active case detection and close contact screening of this cluster were also carried out with a total of 66 individuals screened, where nine cases confirmed positive, while another 57 are awaiting results.

On the Setapak Cluster, Dr Noor Hisham said the index case (case 10,689) had a travel history to Tawau and Semporna, Sabah, from Sept 17 to 20.

The case began to experience symptoms of fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches and diarrhoea since Sept 21 and was admitted to a medical centre on Sept 25 where the case tested positive on the same day, then transferred to Sungai Buloh Hospital, Selangor, he said.

"The other two positive cases detected were the index case's housemate (case 10,770) and a friend (case 10,771). They have been admitted to Sungai Buloh Hospital," he said.

He added that active case detection and close contact screening of this cluster were carried out and a total of 20 individuals were screened to date with three cases tested positive and 16 negative, while another case is still awaiting results.

-- BERNAMA