KUALA TERENGGANU – The decision of a family to hold a tahlil with a large number of attendees without complying with standard operating procedures (SOPs) is among the causes of the climb in number of new Covid-19 cases in Terengganu today.
State Health director Dr Nor Azimi Yunus said the cases involve several families from Johor, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Penang, who returned to Terengganu for a grandfather’s funeral.
“Usually, a funeral will be followed by a tahlil. Forty-five family members attended the event, and 15 tested positive for Covid-19.
“There are symptomatic individuals among the family members, hence the huge number of infection. They should have complied with SOPs and shouldn’t have travelled out of state.”
Terengganu records 22 new Covid-19 cases today, bringing the total active cases in the state to 110.
Dr Nor Azimi said the increase in infections due to interstate travel and family gatherings has happened before in Besut.
“Several families from Kuantan, Pahang, and Johor returned to Besut to visit a sick 100-year-old grandmother, and five of them ended up being infected with the coronavirus, including the grandmother, who died soon after.
“There are also neighbours who tested positive after visiting the deceased’s family.
“Please learn the lesson from these incidents. Avoid attending a mass gathering because we cannot be certain that no one is carrying the virus.
“We are not disallowing anyone to return to their hometown, but they should take precaution and comply with SOPs. If they can’t comply, then prevention is better.” – Bernama, March 6, 2021
