Covid-19: Melaka case not linked to Sivagangga cluster as claimed in viral message

MELAKA (Bernama): The Melaka Health Department has confirmed that the Covid-19 positive case reported in the state on Monday (Aug 10) has no link to the Sivagangga cluster in Kedah as alleged in a viral message.

Its director Dr Ismail Ali said this had been confirmed by his team and the exact cause of the infection was still under investigation, and he added that all family members and close contacts of the case had undergone Covid-19 screening and have been instructed to undergo home quarantine.

"The viral message via WhatsApp on a Covid-19 positive case in Melaka being directly connected to the Sivagangga cluster is not true. It is spread by unknown and irresponsible individuals," he said in a statement on Tuesday (Aug 11)

The WhatsApp message claimed that case reported in Melaka involving a 33-year-old local woman who was screened at a private hospital in the state was allegedly related to the Sivagangga cluster

The message also claimed that the woman had just returned from Kedah with her family and had close contact with the cluster.

Ismail urged the public not to spread false information or news involving Covid-19 to avoid panic among the public.

He said one could verify or seek information on COVID-19 through the Melaka National Crisis Preparedness and Emergency Response Centre (CPRC) at 06-2356999/6851 or email to [e-mail]. - Bernama