Funeral gathering sparks new Covid-19 cluster in Sabah

 By Olivia Miwil - June 11, 2021 @ 8:30pm

Out of the 20 samples taken from her close and social contacts, 10 were found positive for Covid-19,” he said in a statement, adding there were still six samples undergoing tests. - NSTP/ASYRAF HAMZAH

KOTA KINABALU: A new cluster in Sabah has emerged following a gathering for a funeral and tahlil at Kampung Kopi Blues Batu 2 on May 29.

State Covid-19 spokesperson Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said those infected had also gathered at a family's house there.

"The index case is a 46-year-old housewife from Kg Lorong Saddani, Batu 2 who was tested positive on June 9 with her child.

"Out of the 20 samples taken from her close and social contacts, 10 were found positive for Covid-19," he said in a statement, adding there were still six samples undergoing tests.

Sabah recorded 309 Covid-19 cases today with two deaths in Tawau and one each in Semporna, Sandakan, Kuala Penyu and Beaufort.

Masidi, who is also state local government and housing minister, said of the new infections today, 143 were from screenings of close contacts.

"There were 91 cases from cluster screenings, 30 cases were from symptomatic screenings, 26 cases were from targeted screenings and 19 from other cases.

"Today, only six districts - Beluran, Tongod, Kota Marudu, Kuala Penyu, Tenom and Keningau - are without new cases."

As for vaccination, 97,437 people have completed their two doses of inoculation.

To date, 606,007 people or 20.7 per cent of the eligible population in Sabah have registered to be inoculated against Covid-19.