Man glad he missed assignment to photograph body, which later tested positive for Covid-19

Photographers James Tseu (left) and Irwan Majid were among the three media personnel who missed the coverage of a body found hanged from a tree off Pulau Gaya. -Pic courtesy of James Tseu

By Olivia Miwil - April 14, 2020 @ 10:46am

KOTA KINABALU: A photographer was shocked when police here revealed on Monday that the body of a man found hanging from a tree at Kampung Pulau Gaya tested positive for Covid-19.

James Tseu, 45, was among three media personnel tipped off about the discovery of the body on April 6.

“I was at another event when I read that police confirmed that the recovered body was that of a Covid-19 patient.

“I was shocked but glad at the same time, as the three of us went to the wrong place at Jesselton Point jetty on that day when police brought the body through another jetty,” he said, adding that they were initially disappointed they had missed the photo opportunity.

Tseu added it was a blessing in disguise, as they were not exposed to the virus and do not have to worry about getting infected.

Police personnel who were involved in handling the body were told to undergo screening and are home quarantining.

“It is a reminder to us (reporters and photographers) not to take safety lightly in pursuit of news,” Tseu added.

Meanwhile, Sabah Health Department director Datuk Dr Christina Rundi said the man has been included as part of Sabah’s Covid-19 tally.

However, as the man had committed suicide by hanging, he is simply considered a positive Covid-19 case and not a fatality.

As of yesterday, Sabah recorded a total of 280 Covid-19 cases, with an additional eight in Tawau, two in Kota Kinabalu, and one each in Lahad Datu, Tuaran, Penampang and Keningau.

About 38.5 per cent or 108 cases have recovered.

In Tawau, 32 out of 79 Covid-19 cases are linked to the Sri Petaling cluster, and another nine are those who attended a Tabligh gathering in Sulawesi, Indonesia.

The state capital, which has the highest number of cases in Sabah at 39, counts nine Sri Petaling tabligh attendee cases and 10 cases involving eight health professionals.