KOTA KINABALU – The high number of new cases recorded in Lahad Datu, 115, was part of the backlog of 10,400 samples that have been cleared, Sabah’s Covid-19 spokesperson Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said tonight.
The Sabah local government and housing minister also pointed out that the higher number of cases in Kota Kinabalu was due to the Kapayan prison cluster.
“I wish to reiterate the number of cases in Kota Kinabalu will continue to surge over the next couple of days until all the screenings are completed.
“There are around 2,700 inmates, excluding the Prisons Department staff.
“Some 60% of the swab tests carried out have been found to be positive and the health authorities are still carrying out the screening,” said Masidi, without providing further details as to how long it will take for the tests to be completed.
Masidi, who was giving Sabah’s daily Covid-19 briefing, also announced that 535 new cases were reported in Sabah today, down from yesterday’s number of 673.
Five more deaths were reported in the state, with three in Sandakan, while Kota Kinabalu and Semporna had one death each.
Masidi also announced that there are three new clusters in Sabah – two in Kudat and one in Penampang.
The Kudat clusters are named cluster Basung and involves local fishing communities where 26 people have been infected, and cluster Inai involves a Muslim wedding where 13 people have been infected.
For Penampang, the cluster is named Tempayan and consists of a restaurant where 19 people have been infected so far.
Masidi also confirmed there are 28 infections involving offshore workers, while 26 are awaiting results.
On food baskets, the Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Ministry has distributed a total of 66,146 food baskets.
Earlier, Senior Minister (Defence) Datuk Ismail Sabri announced an enhanced movement control order (EMCO) for Taman Harmoni People’s Housing Project in Sandakan due to the increasing number of Covid-19 cases there.
The EMCO is scheduled to run from October 23 to November 3 and will involve 870 households and 4,481 residents.
In addition, 35 new cases were reported in the East Coast district, with a total of 807 active cases. – The Vibes, October 21, 2020
