KOTA KINABALU – Covid-19 cases in Sabah have hit a new high with 308, raising concerns over a fresh health crisis in the state.
Sabah Covid-19 spokesman Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun tweeted that Kota Kinabalu takes the top spot with 43 new cases.
This is followed by Tawau’s 37 cases, Kunak (36), Keningau (27), Papar (26), Kalabakan (25), Lahad Datu (18), Kuala Penyu (16), Penampang (13), Sandakan (11) and Kota Belud (10).
“As I have cautioned yesterday, brace for tougher days ahead. Today, after months of low number, Sabah registered 308 new cases, mostly from existing clusters and close contacts,” he said, cautioning standard operating procedures (SOPs) compliance in view of the Kaamatan harvest festival this weekend.
Sabah yesterday recorded 217 cases, and the numbers have been fluctuating in three-digit figures since early this month.
The rising number of Covid-19 cases in Sabah has, among others, been attributed to the recent Hari Raya public holiday.
Despite a ban on inter-district travel during the Hari Raya celebrations, state health authorities reported cases and clusters linked to visitations and festivities.
In view of the higher number of new cases, Sabah authorities are expected to tighten the health SOPs and ban dine-in.
The Vibes had sighted a message from Masidi that dine-ins will no longer be allowed tomorrow onwards until June 2.
The number of cases in Sabah spiked from September 17 last year due to the state election activities but the infections receded in late April.
The state downgraded its lockdown status to the conditional movement control order on February 19.
Earlier, Sabah DAP secretary and Kota Kinabalu MP Chan Foong Hin has urged the government to reimpose the movement control order if the state records 500 daily cases.
His party colleague Phoong Jin Zhe also urged the government to tighten the SOPs and prohibit dining-in and social gatherings. – The Vibes, May 28, 2021
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