LABUAN – A Covid-19 variant of concern (VoC) has been spreading in the community here, contributing to the climb in cases over the past few days, said Labuan Health Department director Dr Ismuni Bohari.
“In Labuan, we already have a VoC (B.1.617.2/Delta), as… Covid-19 is spreading in our community.
“It was one of the reasons for the massive climb in cases… symptoms are severe after getting infected with the Delta strain.”
Dr Ismuni said the movement of people during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration has led to the wider spread of infection.
“We have also identified a large family living in a cramped and congested house, which has caused the virus to spread among the members and led to difficulties in stabilising the case.
“Looking at the trend of Covid-19 cases, we are moving towards a plateau with three-digit daily cases reported in the past few days.”
He said as the Delta strain is found to have a higher infection rate, the local community needs to take the situation seriously.
If people continue to flout the standard operating procedures, it will be more difficult to curb the pandemic on the island, he added.
Dr Ismuni said a number of companies in the essential services sector have had to shut temporarily for sanitisation after Covid-19 cases were detected among their employees.
“A mass screening is being conducted on 800 to 2,000 samples with the help of private clinics.”
The island recorded 200 new Covid-19 cases today, bringing the cumulative number to 5,352. – Bernama, June 9, 2021
