Three Sabah detention centres to come under EMCO on Tue

By Olivia Miwil - November 1, 2020 @ 9:11pm

Beginning Tuesday, the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) will be implemented at three temporary detention centres in the state, namely in Kota Kinabalu, Tawau and Papar. - NSTP/MOHD ADAM ARININ

KOTA KINABALU: Beginning Tuesday, the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) will be implemented at three temporary detention centres in the state, namely in Kota Kinabalu, Tawau and Papar.

Sabah Covid-19 spokesperson Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said the EMCO will be enforced in these areas until Nov 16.

"The EMCO will involve 1,820 detainees and 114 staff members. All activities within and outside of the detention centres, as well as visits from family members, will not be allowed.

"For the Kota Kinabalu detention centre, targeted screening among selected detainees and staff have already been done and they are now under quarantine," he said in a statement, referring to the Rumah Merah cluster in the state capital which has so far recorded a total of 171 cases.

Sabah recorded 644 new coronavirus cases today, with Sandakan registering 199 cases, Tawau at 134, Kota Kinabalu (91), Kudat (63), Semporna (30), Putatan (17), Kota Belud (16), Penampang and Keningau (15), Tuaran, Lahad Datu and Beaufort (13), Papar (8), Kinabatangan and Kunak (6), and Kota Marudu and Ranau (3).

Masidi, who is also the state Local Government and Housing Minister, said the large number of cases in Sandakan are due to close contacts.

The state also saw 658 Covid-19 patients discharged today, with no deaths recorded.

The bed occupancy rate stands at 36.9 per cent with 3,061 patients utilising 8,296 beds at the state's hospitals and low-risk treatment centres.

"The Health Ministry is aware of the needs of the Sabah Health Department in preventing the spread of infection.

"Therefore, starting today, three medical specialists will be placed at the Duchess Of Kent Hospital in Sandakan, 12 medical officers at the Tawau Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and nine nurses at the Tawau Hospital."

To date, Sabah has received additional manpower relief consisting of 43 specialists, 150 medical officers and 255 nurses.