Covid-19: Sabah hoping for lower numbers once backlog of samples is cleared

 By Olivia Miwil - October 20, 2020 @ 8:38pm

Sabah Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun speaks to reporters on the Covid-19 latest updates during a press conference in Wisma Innoprise, Kota Kinabalu. -NSTP/MALAI ROSMAH TUAH.

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is expected to record a lower number of Covid-19 cases over the next few days once the state clears its backlog of 10,400 Covid-19 samples awaiting screening.

State Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said this was achievable provided no new infections emerge in the interim.

He noted that the 10,400 backlogged samples, once processed, would contribute towards the overall figures once cleared.

"We hope that the samples and test results can be settled within the next three to four days, subject to the state Health Department's capability.

"If it happens, unless there is an infection (increase), we will see subsequently see lower figures," he told a press conference on the state's Covid-19 situation here today.

Sabah today recorded 673 new cases with three deaths, as well as a new cluster in Kota Belud, dubbed the Kertang Cluster.

Kota Kinabalu logged the highest number of cases today with 231 out of 289 recorded cases coming from the Kepayan Prison Cluster.

Masidi, who is the Sabah spokesman for Covid-19 matters, gave his assurances that the prison and nearby personnel quarters have been placed under the Targeted Enhanced Movement Control Order to contain the infection.

Meanwhile, he said police would enhance roadblocks and vehicle inspections in line with the statewide implementation of the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO).

He also urged the people to abide by the guidelines and only come out when necessary.

"The National Security Council has urged civil servants to work from home if they are not required to be on the ground. This also applies to the private sector.

"This is meant to reduce the number of people on the roads and prevent the infection from spreading further," he added.

Today, local authorities disinfected 88 premises including markets, government buildings, surau, public toilets, jetties and community halls, among others.

The Sabah government has to date distributed 62,002 food baskets to targeted communities.