KOTA KINABALU – An assistant to Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Guandee Kohoi died of Covid-19 about 4pm yesterday.
Special officer Datuk Jaimin Samitah, 63, is believed to have been hospitalised on August 3, a day after testing positive for the virus.
According to Guandee’s principal private secretary Ardino Diris, who last saw Jaimin on July 30, the latter complained of a sore throat the following day, after which he underwent a swab test.
They were in Kuala Lumpur attending a special Parliament sitting from July 23 to 29.
“We were supposed to return to Kota Kinabalu on August 2, but he stayed behind in Kuala Lumpur. He was staying at his children’s place,” said Ardino.
He said the team was informed by Jaimin about the positive test after they arrived in the Sabah capital.
He added that he believes Jaimin was hospitalised on August 3.
Ardino said he and four others who underwent a swab test before flying back to Kota Kinabalu had to get tested again on August 3. All returned negative results.
Among the five are Ardino, another secretary to Guandee, Guandee himself, and a police officer.
Ardino said all have been instructed to undergo yet another swab test today.
Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah two days ago said a total of 88 Covid-19 cases have been detected following the special parliamentary meet.
“The Institute for Medical Research is conducting whole genomic sequencing and awaiting the final results. All of them have mild symptoms and have been fully vaccinated.”
He said district health officers are identifying close contacts.
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin postponed the final day of the special Dewan Rakyat sitting on August 2, citing a Covid-19 outbreak in Parliament.
This sparked a protest by opposition MPs, who gathered at Dataran Merdeka that day and marched towards Parliament.
The special Dewan Negara sitting slated from August 3 to 5 was also postponed. – The Vibes, August 10, 2021
