Covid-19: Hamparan 2 in Kinabatangan detected in oil palm plantation

File Photo

26 Aug 2021

By Ilona Andrew

KOTA KINABALU: A workplace Covid-19 cluster involving an oil palm plantation has emerged in Kinabatangan, known as the Hamparan 2 cluster.

Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Masidi Manjun said the cluster has a cumulative total of 21 cases was detected at the plantation in Sukau, Kinabatangan.

"The index case, aged 24, is a clinic assistant at the plantation who tested positive on Aug 18 after exhibiting symptoms of infection since Aug 12. She was referred to the district's hospital for further treatment.

"A total of 77 contacts have then been screened, of which 20 of the index case's social contacts, workers and dependents tested positive," he said in a statement today.

Investigations, sampling and disinfection are still ongoing to assess the risks of infection that have possibly spread to other nearby farm workers, he added.