KUALA TERENGGANU (Bernama): Social events held discreetly are among the factors for the sharp increase in Covid-19 cases in Terengganu reported Saturday (July 31), says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar (pic).
The Mentri Besar said the increase was also contributed by recent Hari Raya Haji activities that failed to comply with the standard operating procedures (SOPs).
"This includes inter-state and inter-district travel without permission during the celebration,” he said in a video uploaded to his Facebook page.
Terengganu recorded a sharp increase in new daily positive Covid-19 cases on Saturday with 883 new infections, including 860 local transmissions. It was the highest number since the pandemic hit.
Ahmad Samsuri said the spike in numbers was also due to targeted screenings and tests done on close contacts in several localities in all districts.
"There has also been an influx of foreign contract workers from outside Terengganu who are not screened and who have triggered clusters among them," he said.
As such, he added, the authorities will ramp up screenings in identified high-risk localities.
"Due to the increase in screenings, we expect an increase in cases in the next two weeks,” he said.
Terengganu will also request for more vaccine supplies so that vaccinations can be accelerated in critical areas, especially in Kemaman and Dungun, he said, while also urging the public to strictly adhere to all SOPs. - Bernama
