Covid-19: 14 clusters linked to inter-state travel, social activities, says Health DG

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia has seen the emergence of 14 Covid-19 infection clusters caused by inter-state travel and social activities since the relaxation of the country’s movement control order (MCO) on Dec 7.

Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said five clusters in the country involved people who travelled between states.

“The five clusters caused by cross-border travel are the Intan, Semambu and Tembok Mempaga clusters in Pahang, the Seragam Chepa cluster in Kelantan and the Ehsan Ibol cluster in Perak, ” said Dr Noor Hisham at the ministry’s Covid-19 press conference on Monday (Jan 4).

Dr Noor Hisham said another nine clusters to have emerged since Dec 7 are triggered by social activities.

The clusters caused by social activities are as follows: Gerbang Pongsu (Perak), Lintas Seraya (Sabah), Sungai Redan (Johor), Maringkan (Sabah), Cassia Diamond (Pulau Pinang dan Selangor), Paginatan (Sabah), Sungai Burong (Selangor and Negri Sembilan), Kupi-Kupi (Sabah), and Bandar Impian (Johor, Kelantan, Perak).

Meanwhile, Dr Noor Hisham also said that the number of Covid-19 infections found at workplaces have affected more locals.

“Initially, over 60% of those infected at workplaces are foreign workers but now we are seeing more positive cases among Malaysians.

“This means, the infections have spread into the community, ” he said.

Dr Noor Hisham said workers are encouraged to wear face masks at work and also to practise Covid-19 prevention methods at all times.

Dr Noor Hisham also said the country saw five new clusters on Monday, bringing the total number of active clusters to 231.

The new clusters are dubbed Jalan Duyong (Selangor, 110 cases), Pasar Jalan Sentosa (Selangor, 61 cases), Jalan Nakhoda (Kuala Lumpur, 14 cases), Ehsan Ibol (Perak and Selangor, 22 cases) and Telok Mas (Melaka, 13 cases).