Four new Covid-19 clusters detected in Sabah today

23 July 2021

By Wartawan Nabalu News

KOTA KINABALU: Four new Covid-19 clusters have been registered in four different districts today namely Tongod, Tawau, Kinabatangan and Sandakan.

Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said the in Tongod, the cluster is known as Kg Mananam cluster which was first detected through symptomatic screening on July 19.

"The index case is a 49-year-old school security guard who tested positive after having symptoms of headache, breathing difficulties, loss sense of taste, lack of appetite and fever.

“Another 14 individuals tested positive after a close contact screening was conducted on the villagers, bringing the cumulative total to 20 cases including five new cases today.

"As of today, disinfection and Covid-19 sampling are still being conducted by the investigative team to evaluate the risk of infection that could pose threat to nearby villages,” he said in a statement today.

In Tawau, the Jalan Stesen TV cluster started in a chicken farm involving a workplace infection at Mukim Sri Tanjung.

The index case is a 24-year-old foreigner who tested positive for the virus through symptomatic screening.

"Upon investigation, 48 individuals including the index case's family members, colleagues, and neighbours from the worker’s quarters tested positive,” he added.

Masidi stated that out of 124 close contacts screened, 68 positive cases were recorded including 19 new cases reported today. Close contact screening and source of infection are still being conducted.

For the Bukit Mas cluster in Kinabatangan, it involves a workplace infection in Sukau area.

According to Masidi, the index case is a 32-year-old store clerk who works in a plantation farm. He tested positive through symptomatic screening on July 19 in Lahad Datu clinic.

“Close contact screening had found 10 positive cases involving the index case's family members and workers, bringing the cumulative total of the cluster to 11 cases,” he said, adding that the Covid-19 sampling and disinfection activities are still being conducted.

The Jalan Utara Dua cluster in Sandakan was believed to have started in a male ward of Sandakan Hospital and it was categorised as a treatment centre cluster.

“The index case is a 74-year-old male patient who tested positive after health expert conducted an X-ray towards the his chest.

“However, 11 individuals including two staffers, nine patients, one prisoner guard and one close contact tested positive for the virus,” he stated.

As of today, the cumulative total of cases today is 13 individuals including 11 new cases reported today.