The first Covid-19 case within the cluster was detected when Sharifah’s 79-year-old grand-aunt, who was Patient 1,031, died on March 18.
Patient 1,031’s daughter and her son were also brought to Sarawak General Hospital due to high fever and shortness of breath.
The 40-year-old daughter and 49-year-old son succumbed to the virus on March 21 and 23 respectively.
Another two relatives – Patient 2,850 and Patient 2,210 – died later.
As of March 27, 25 family members were infected, including Sharifah’s parents.
Her father was moved from the ICU to a normal ward two days ago, while her mother is out of quarantine.
Sharifah, 38, said their family was large and tight-knit and that they lived near each other.
“I ask that everyone pray for the health and recovery of our family. And I hope that our story will help spread awareness to others.
“I don’t want others to go through what our family experienced,”
said Sharifah, who is an employee in the private sector.
The cluster, however, did not start with their family.
It originated from a workmate of one of Patient 1,031’s daughters who returned from a trip to Italy and then went to work.
Starting with this workmate, the cluster grew to 41 cases as of April 8.
Sharifah said there had been earlier reports which claimed that her family had “started” the cluster, and this led to them being criticised.
“Not only do we have to deal with the challenge of losing family members, but the ridicule of others,” she said.
However, she said that she was relieved that the public knew the truth now.
Aida Nabila Mohamad Ghazali, who is the granddaughter of Patient 1,031, was quoted in a news report as saying she hoped people would be forthcoming about their travel history.
“Please be responsible, be honest about your travel history and follow orders to stay at home,” she said, adding however that she had no ill-feeling towards the person who had travelled to Italy.
When contacted, Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, who oversees public health in Sarawak, said the family that had been infected in this cluster had never been to Italy.
“One family member was exposed to the virus by a colleague at work, who had been to Italy.
“This colleague had no symptoms and was thus unaware about being infected,” Sim said, adding that this person went on to spread the virus “widely with terrible consequences”.
Dr Sim said those who might have been exposed should come forward to be tested.
“There is no need to fear. It’s not your fault. If you are unknowingly infected, at least it won’t spread to others,” he said.
On March 4, the Sarawak government said arrivals to the state who had a travel history to Italy, China, South Korea or Iran, must undergo compulsory home quarantine for 14 days.
