Infection sources becoming unclear
Published on: Sunday, August 01, 2021
By: Anthea Peter
Kota Kinabalu: Sabah continued to record a four-digit high with 1,035 cases on Saturday and a new high of nine deaths – three in Tawau, two in Kota Kinabalu and one in Kota Belud, Kudat, Putatan and Tuaran, respectively.Sabah’s Covid-19 spokesperson Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun (pic) said 115 cases involved detainees – 111 from the Tawau Temporary Detention Centre and four from Kepayan Prison.
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He said close contacts also continue to be the largest contributor with 497 cases or 48.02 per cent of the caseload, followed by symptomatic screenings with 251 cases.
“This is a clear indication that the Covid-19 virus is already within the community and transmissions are occurring sporadically, meaning the sources of infection are unclear.
“The State Government through enforcement agencies will increase monitoring activities to ensure full Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) compliance, while expediting the vaccination rate in the community,” he said, Saturday.
Of the 1,035 cases, 916 are locals while four are imported cases – two from Selangor and one from Kelantan and Labuan, respectively.
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Kota Kinabalu topped the list with 212 cases, of which 133 were close contacts, followed by Tawau with 139 which were mostly contributed by 123 symptomatic screening cases.
Masidi said 76.52 per cent of the caseload are in category one (380 cases) and category two (412 cases), which are asymptomatic to mild cases that do not need hospital treatment.
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There are 103 patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with 29 needing ventilated support.
Some 485 Covid-19 patients have been discharged from the hospital while 4,156 patients are still receiving treatment at hospitals and low risk quarantine and treatment centres (PKRC).
Two new clusters were identified on Saturday, namely the Gambaron Dua Cluster in Telupid and Jalan Corak Cluster in Tongod.
The Gambaron Dua Cluster was believed sparked among mosque congregants which was then spread to family members.
“The index patient is a 29-year-old male who experienced symptoms since July 22, and was tested positive at the Health Clinic on July 23.
“Based on investigations, he is believed to have been infected by his friend from Tawau, who is a suspected close contact at Ladang FGV Tanah Mas in Telupid.
“For three days starting July 15 at Kg Gambaron 2, the index patient and his friend had attended prayers at the Pekan Telupid Mosque,” Masidi explained, adding that 95 contacts were screened, of which 53 were tested positive.
The Jalan Corak Cluster, involving community transmission, stemmed from a 30-year-old housewife who experienced fever and cough and was tested positive at the Tongod Health Office on July 26.
“Earlier investigations found that the index patient and 14 of her friends experienced the same symptoms since receiving their vaccines at the Telupid Vaccination Center on July 24. One of them was still waiting for their Covid-19 PCR test results,” Masidi explained.
He said contact screenings found another nine positive around the neighbourhood where the index patient lives.
Meanwhile, five KK localities would be placed under Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) from Aug 2 to 14, namely Lorong Kuala Laut Likas, Kg Warisan, Kg Darau in Menggatal, Kg Rakyat Baru and Imbas Jaya workers quarters, Jalan Kionsom.
Two Beaufort localities would be placed under EMCO from Aug 2 to Aug 15, namely Kg Melulugus and Lorong 3, Kg Klias Baru while the EMCO in Kg Tinusa 2, Sandakan will be extended starting Aug 2 until Aug 15.
EMCOs in five localities will be lifted on Aug 1, namely Seri Maju Apartment in Kota Kinabalu, Kg Simpangan in Kota Marudu, Taman Zifa, Bingkul in Beaufort and two Tawau localities (QL Farm Breeder, Jalan Stesen TV and Onika Quarry workers quarters). Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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