Tongod, the only Green zone in Sabah

 By Olivia Miwil - October 26, 2020 @ 1:33pm

      View of Tongod which is the only green zone in Sabah. - Picture courtesy of Tongod District office.

TONGOD: High level of awareness on Covid-19 among the people here is probably the key factor that enables Tongod to remain as the only Green zone district in Sabah.

Its district officer William Ahlan said Tongod is neighbouring to Sandakan, which is a Red zone, with economic activities and inbound travels for essential services operating as usual.

"Although there is no guarantee that Tongod, home to about 50,000 people will continue to record zero Covid-19 case, I believe the awareness of the people has kept the Covid-19 infection at bay for now.

"Apart from the Health authorities coming in to conduct (Covid-19) screening on those in contact (of patients) or staff working at the frontdesks (reception areas), some had even come forward and were willing to pay for the screening," he told the New Straits Times.

The people have also reduced their movement as they were aware of the Covid-19 situation.

He said although there were roadblocks allowing those with permits to enter Tongod, a special attention is also placed for the Telupid area, about 50 kilometres from here, where people from other areas also come for banking and other official services.

Last month, five people tested positive for Covid-19 in Tongod and have received treatment in Sandakan.

Their contacts were also being quarantined there.

William added that the district has also started to quarantine healthcare staff who returning from Semporna yesterday for two weeks.

"As the number of cases in Sandakan is increasing, Tongod is also ready in terms of preparing two quarantine centres should there be any new infections here.

"The district office has also requested food basket aids from the state government for targeted groups in case of villages being placed under lockdown or people being quarantined," he said, adding that the district office is also working on getting assistance for those categorised as poor or hardcore poor that live about 200 kilometres from the town.

As of yesterday, Sabah has 6,525 active cases receiving treatment with 98 deaths.