KOTA KINABALU - Eight more Sabah buildings have been identified as transit quarantine centres for illegal immigrants in Sabah, bringing the total number of such centres in the state to 12.
Sabah’s Covid-19 official spokesperson Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun did not disclose the location of these eight new centres, but they are expected to complement the four transit centres established earlier, namely the Dewan Masyarakat Menggatal in Kota Kinabalu; Dewan Masyarakat Pekan Kinarut in Papar; Dewan Sibuga Batu 5 and Dewan Sri Gum-Gum, Batu 16, both in Sandakan.
Masidi said the buildings comprise eight halls and preparations are underway to convert them into transit quarantine centres.
“Those who have been admitted to the temporary detention centres will be tested for Covid-19 twice and those who are asymptomatic will be isolated for further observation,” said Masidi.
The number of inmates at Kapayan prison which currently stands at 2,898, has exceeded the maximum number recommended by the state health department by 81%.
Masidi said from this amount, 1,131 have been screened for Covid-19, with 709 testing positive as of October 22.
Masidi added, the population of residents in areas under total lockdown is 66,952. From this amount, 18,093 have received their Covid-19 screening results, with 3,304 testing positive.
“Screenings are still ongoing until health authorities reach the 5% screening target for the population in these areas.
“Mass screenings are being carried out to detect new cases because only this will allow us to break the chain of infections,” he added. – The Vibes, October 24, 2020
