KOTA KINABALU – Sporadic or community infections are still primarily behind Sabah’s high infection numbers, despite a slight reduction in new cases in the state today.
Sabah Covid-19 spokesman Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said sporadic infection in the community made up 64.2% or 3,076 cases from today’s overall 4,794 new cases this evening.
“Overall, new cases are down by 288 to 4,794 cases from yesterday’s 5,082 cases,” he said in a statement tonight.
He said 13 districts recorded an increase in new infections, with Kota Kinabalu reporting 904 cases, Penampang (513), Tuaran (444), Papar (347), Tawau (273), Lahad Datu (242), Beaufort (203), Ranau (195), Kota Belud (156), Kota Marudu (149), Keningau (136), and Putatan (128).
Sabah also reported 14 deaths from Covid-19: four from Tawau; three in Tuaran, two from Kota Kinabalu, and one each in Kalabakan, Kudat, Ranau, Keningau, and Lahad Datu.
Today also saw three new clusters, leading to 41 total clusters in the state.
All three are school clusters, namely the Batu Enam cluster in Kota Belud, the Jalan Sugut Ranau cluster in Ranau, and the Kemburongoh 2 cluster – also in Ranau.
The Batu Enam cluster involved a 15-year-old female hostel student of SMK Taun Gusi 2 in Kota Belud as the index case.
She was found to be positive on February 10. Close contact screening found 19 more positive infections up until February 17.
In the Jalan Sugut Ranau cluster, a 39-year-old female teacher of SMK Ulu Sugut was identified as the index case.
She was found to be positive on February 7, and, as of today, 49 positive cases were found among close contacts.
In the Kemburongoh 2 cluster, a 52-year-old male security guard was identified as the index case.
The guard was found positive on February 7, and, as of today, 54 infections had been reported.
Masidi also announced the end of the first school cluster, which was the Jalan Kepayan Tambunan cluster reported this year.
The spokesperson also noted that overall bed capacity in Sabah currently stands at 66.51%. – The Vibes, February 17, 2022
