PETALING JAYA: Six new Covid-19 clusters have been identified in Sabah, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, says the Health Ministry.
Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah (pic) said one of the new clusters in Sabah was the Sibuga cluster involving the index case (case 35,885), who tested positive after showing symptoms on Nov 5.
"A total of 323 individuals were then screened of which 103 others tested positive," he said in a statement Saturday (Nov 28).
He said another cluster identified in Sabah was the Jesselton construction site cluster in Kota Kinabalu where 181 individuals were screened on Saturday, of which 44 tested positive.
"The Tempasuk cluster was also identified in Kota Belud, Sabah, involving the index case (case 56,849) who was screened after showing symptoms on Nov 24.
"148 others were later screened and 11 more tested positive," he said.
Dr Noor Hisham said another cluster identified in Sabah was the Dermaga cluster in Sandakan involving the index case (case 25,325) who was screened on Oct 24 after showing symptoms.
"Some 296 other individuals were later screened, of which 33 tested positive.
"In Petaling, Selangor, the UD SS2 cluster was identified involving the index case (case 61,360) who was screened after showing symptoms on Nov 27.
"A total of 39 others were then screened, of whom 12 tested positive," he said.
He said they also identified the Awan Baru construction site cluster in Kepong and Cheras.
"Some 442 individuals were tested on Saturday and 31 tested positive," he said.
Dr Noor Hisham advised the public to observe the standard operating procedures when attending any gathering or when going out to public places.
"Covid-19 transmissions occur from individual to individual through respiratory droplets when they cough, sneeze, speak and touch each other.
"This is why if there is physical distancing of less than 1m between individuals, the risk of infection is higher.
"Recently, it has been found that more of the clusters are formed from social gatherings that do not follow the standard operating procedures," he said, adding that this includes large gatherings involving families, celebrations and religious ceremonies.
He said based on investigation reports, these gatherings were also attended by individuals who were symptomatic.
"Examples of such occurrences include the Enggor cluster in Perak and Indah Mas cluster in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor where the clusters began from family gatherings.
"The Inai and Jambul clusters in Sabah began from a celebration gathering while the Mentari cluster in Selangor, Negri Sembilan and Kuala Lumpur began from a funeral ceremony in Nilai involving family members and acquaintances," he said urging the public to follow the standard operating procedures in place at all times.
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