Covid-19: Three new clusters found even with Sarawak's case numbers on downward trend

SIBU: Three new clusters were detected in Sarawak even as Covid-19 cases continued to drop in the state this week.

The State Disaster Management Committee said in a statement on Wednesday (March 31) that the new clusters were in Miri, Sibu and Sarikei.

The first, Cluster Jalan Kingsway in Miri, involved a government premises. The index case is a 54-year-old man working there as part of the enforcement team.

He tested positive on March 17 after showing symptoms, and 51 of his colleagues were subsequently found positive.

"Cluster Bulatan Aman, Sibu, involved a factory at Jalan Upper Lanang. The index case is a 52-year-old man who works as a lorry driver. He tested positive on March 19.

"A total of 43 persons from his longhouse in Nanga Assan were later tested, all of them positive," the statement added.

Meanwhile, Cluster Jalan Baji in Sarikei, involved a housing area at Jalan Baji. The index case is a 16-year-old youth who tested positive on March 25 and 20 others subsequently were found to have contracted the disease.

The committee said one death was reported on Wednesday while 176 new cases were recorded.

The deceased was a 57-year-old man in Sibu who tested positive on March 5 at Lanang Health Clinic.

"The patient had a cough and fever before being admitted to Sibu Hospital on March 6. However his condition worsened and he passed away on March 31. He also had a comorbidity of gout," the committee said.

Sibu had the most cases with 30, followed by Kuching with 29, Bintulu with 25 and Miri with 19. Other cases were recorded in Sarikei (13); Serian (11); Beluru (10); Meradong (eight); Kapit and Matu (six each); Julau, Samarahan and Sri Aman (five each); and Lawas, Marudi, Saratok and Simunjan (one each).

At the same time, 134 people have recovered and were discharged from hospital.