Covid-19: Almost 3,000 clusters detected since March, 53% linked to workplace outbreaks

PUTRAJAYA: Nearly 3,000 Covid-19 clusters have been detected by the Health Ministry since the end of March, when the second phase of the country's third wave of Covid-19 began.

Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said out of 2,913 clusters detected since March 28, 1,549 (53%) are workplace-related outbreaks.

"The 1,549 workplace clusters had at least 133,247 positive cases.

"Out of that, 370 people died while 32 cases are still receiving treatment in intensive care units (ICU)," said Dr Noor Hisham in a statement on Wednesday (Aug 18).

The manufacturing sector, with 780 clusters, is the biggest contributor towards workplace outbreaks in the country.

This is followed by the service sector (260 clusters) and construction sector (181 clusters).

Dr Noor Hisham said Selangor reported 414 workplace clusters – the most of all states.

In the same period, the ministry also detected 880 community clusters.

In total, 58,776 people were infected from community clusters, including 417 who died.

Kelantan has the most number of community clusters (239) followed by Sarawak (171) and Sabah (94).

Dr Noor Hisham said of the 880 community clusters, 481 were a result of house-to-house visits, as well as outbreaks within a housing area or village.

These community outbreaks also stemmed from festive occasions (55 clusters) and longhouse activities (44 clusters).

On Wednesday, the ministry detected 49 new clusters which resulted in the discovery of 1,833 positive cases.

This includes 30 workplace clusters and 13 community outbreaks.

Currently, there are 1,386 active clusters nationwide.