Masidi: Two new Covid-19 clusters in Sabah identified, linked to plantation industry

KOTA KINABALU: The two new clusters in Sabah on Thursday (Jan 21) involving the plantation industry at the State’s east coast have been identified.

State Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun (pic) said the first cluster called Ladang Sebrang in Lahad Datu has 21 cumulative cases.

“The index case was traced through symptomatic screening on Jan 9 at Silabukan health clinic. Close contacts and workplace screenings found 20 positive cases at the palm oil processing mill.

“Meanwhile, Silimpopon cluster in Kalabakan also involved the plantation industry, with 29 cumulative cases.

“The index case is a labourer at a plantation company in Silompopon and was confirmed positive with the virus through symptomatic screening on Jan 6 at a private clinic, ” he said, adding that close contact screenings are currently ongoing.

In the statement to update daily Covid-19 developments in Sabah, Masidi said the movement control order here was extended until Feb 4, in line with other states except Sarawak, based on risk assessment and advice from the Health Ministry.

“Up to Jan 20 (Wednesday), 6,027 new cases in Sabah were recorded in the period of 14 days from Jan 7.

“At present, 23 districts are in the red zone, three in the yellow zone and one in the orange zone.

“Besides that, there are an increase of cases and new clusters in this State, including through close contacts screenings, ” he said in providing the reason for extension.

Sabah recorded 401 new cases on Thursday, bringing the cumulative figure to 45,409.

Two fatalities were recorded in Lahad Datu.

As of today, the cumulative numbers of patients who recovered are 40,929 individuals.