New cluster detected in Selangor, linked to cases with travel history to Sabah

PUTRAJAYA: Eleven of the country’s new Covid-19 cases on Monday (Sept 28) are linked to individuals with a travel history to Sabah, says the Health Ministry.

In a statement, Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said 10 of those cases were detected in Selangor while one was detected in Terengganu.

Six of the Selangor cases are linked to a new cluster, dubbed by the ministry as the "Jalan Apas" cluster.

Dr Noor Hisham said the cluster’s two index cases are a husband, 26, and wife, 24, who had travelled to Tawau and Semporna from Sept 13 to Sept 16.

“Both index cases had symptoms of fever, cough and flu on Sept 18 and they sought treatment on Sept 19. They were then referred to Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah in Klang on Sept 24.

“They tested positive for Covid-19 on Sept 26 and were admitted to the Sungai Buloh Hospital, ” said Dr Noor Hisham.

Screening of 66 individuals who are close contacts of the husband and wife found six more new cases, aged between 13 and 60.

“Another 56 individuals have tested negative while two others are still waiting for their test results, ” said Dr Noor Hisham.

Sabah has again recorded the highest number of new Covid-19 infections, with 98 out of the country’s 115 new cases on Monday.

Earlier, the government announced that a targeted enhanced movement control order (MCO) has been imposed on the Sabah districts of Lahad Datu, Kunak, Tawau and Semporna.

This was after the four districts recorded 1,195 cases between Sept 1 and Sept 27.

The enhanced MCO takes effect at 12.01am on Tuesday (Sept 29) and the lockdown period will last until Oct 12, with nearly one million residents affected.