Imam's daughter becomes index case for new cluster in Kunak

KOTA KINABALU: The 21-year-old daughter of an imam in Kunak was the index case for one of the two new Covid-19 clusters reported in Sabah on Monday (May 17).

The Sungai Langgas cluster involving the Kampung Langgas community registered 19 cumulative cases so far, said State Local Government and Housing Minister, Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun.

"The index case is the daughter of the Masjid Al-Mansa imam who was tested positive following symptomatic screening at the Kunak district hospital on May 4.

"Based on observation, the index case is believed to have been infected by her father, and then spread the infection among other congregation members," he said in the statement for daily Covid-19 updates for Sabah.

Meanwhile, the second cluster dubbed the Jalan Imam Jalilul cluster in Tawau, was traced when the index case, a 41-year-old SK Pasir Putih teacher, was confirmed positive on May 7.

Initial investigations found that the male teacher staying at the SMK Pasir Putih quarters, may have been infected when breaking fast at his older brother's home at Jalan Imam Jalilul on May 2.

"The infection may have also occured when the index case conducted terawih prayers daily at Masjid Jideen, near Tanjung Batu Darat," added Masidi.

Cumulative cases for the cluster stands at 11, as close contact tracing and further investigation on the cause of infection continues, he added.

Sabah reported 60 new cases on Monday, with one fatality recorded in the Keningau district.