Two new clusters identified in Bukit Tiram and Kuching - Health DG

The Health Ministry (MOH) identified two new COVID-19 clusters today, namely the Bukit Tiram cluster in Johor and the Kuching construction company cluster.

Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the Bukit Tiram cluster was detected after two members of a religious centre in Taman Bukit Tiram tested positive for the virus.

"Both are foreigners residing in Malaysia and both (case 8868 and case 8869) developed symptoms on July 15, but failed to seek immediate treatment in any health facility.

"They later underwent COVID-19 screening and tested positive on July 24," Dr Noor Hisham said in a statement today, adding that to date, MOH has identified 10 of their close contacts, all of whom have been screened and are awaiting results.

As for the Kuching construction company cluster, Dr Noor Hisham said it involves a Malaysian who tested positive on July 11 (case 8715).

He said based on investigations, some 55 close contacts were identified comprising five housemates and 50 colleagues.

"All of these contacts have been screened and tested negative for COVID-19. This cluster was identified after one positive case (case 8881) was detected through repeat screenings on the close contacts of case 8715," he said.

"However, both cases are still under investigation, with contact tracing and active case detection still ongoing. The source of infection for this cluster is still being investigated," he added.

-- BERNAMA