Rising sporadic cases in Sabah is ‘worrying’
Published on: Saturday, October 23, 2021
By: Anthea Peter
Kota Kinabalu: The State Government is urging grassroots leaders to ensure that all residents comply with the standard operating procedures (SOPs), in view of the rising sporadic cases in Sabah.Sabah’s Covid-19 spokesperson Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said of the 641 cases recorded in the State on Friday, 41.3 per cent were sporadic cases where the source of infection is unknown – an increase from 35 per cent the day earlier.
ADVERTISEMENT
“What is worrying is the rising number of sporadic cases, which often occur in public places or when SOP compliance is neglected.
“I call on all Village Development and Security Committees (JPKKs), village heads and other grassroots leaders to help the Government ensure that all residents comply with the SOPs in their respective villages,” he said this in a statement, Friday.
Masidi said the rising number of sporadic (symptomatic) cases is a sign for the community to double their efforts in maintaining their health and comply with all SOPs, adding that every individual is now considered as a frontliner.
He also reminded the public that the vaccine does not guarantee 100 per cent protection against Covid-19 infections.
ADVERTISEMENT
“It can be seen that many of the vaccinated have contracted Covid-19. It’s just that a majority of them only experience mild symptoms or are asymptomatic.
“The conclusion is many of them have become complacent in complying with SOPs as they assume that the vaccine gives them 100 per cent protection against the virus.
ADVERTISEMENT
“It is reminded that all who are vaccinated are not exempted from complying with SOPs, in order to protect oneself from transmission,” Masidi stressed. Six Covid-19 deaths were recorded throughout Sabah – two each in Tawau and Keningau and one each in Ranau and Sandakan.
A new cluster was identified in Tenom, named as the Alab Senagang Cluster, involving community transmission stemming from a 37-year-old local woman who lives in Kg Alab Senagang, Tenom.
Masidi said she was tested positive at the Tenom Hospital on Oct 14 and is believed to be infected during her mother-in-law’s funeral ceremony.
“On Oct 10, the index patient’s mother-in-law passed away due to Covid-19 and was brought back to Kg Senagang on Oct 11. It was reported that some 20 family members had gathered when the deceased was brought home. However, further investigations are still ongoing,” he said.
He added that out of 88 contacts screened, 50 individuals were found positive.
On Sabah’s caseload, Masidi said Kota Kinabalu topped the list with 70 cases, followed by Kudat (56), Lahad Datu (51), Kota Belud (47), Beaufort (41), Kota Marudu (39), Tenom (34), Putatan (34) and Keningau (27).
He said out of KK’s 70 cases, 63 were backlogs overdue for at least two days.
“In Tenom, only one case occurred from the day earlier, while another 33 cases were overdue for two days, whereas 26 out of 51 cases in Lahad Datu were also backlogged cases.
“Overall, 274 cases (42.7 per cent) of the caseload were registered late for at least two days,” he added.
Masidi said close contacts still remain the largest contributor to Sabah’s caseload with 312 cases (48.7 per cent).
“Of the 641 cases, 62 are in category one, 1,557 are in category two, four are in category three, one is in category four and three are in category five, while 14 cases are still being evaluated by the health department,” he added.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
