Dr Noor Hisham: Covid-19 Cluster From 1 Utama Has Reached Six Generations of Infections

The Utama Cluster that originated from 1 Utama shopping mall has seen six generations of infections, according to the Ministry of Health (MOH).

Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said in a press conference that the Utama Cluster recorded nine new cases on 20 October, bringing the total number of cases to 194.

“We looked into the mall for example, the infection may have started in the mall and we have identified a few of the workers in the mall who tested positive. So what we did is to close down the mall for one week and we discussed with the management of the mall,” he said.

“So what we did was a clean-up and screening for all workers. So we have done that. Sanitisation, disinfection all have been done. Rest assured, the mall has already been cleared.”

However, by the time the first generation of infections were detected, the individuals involved had already spread the virus to others including their family and friends, reported Berita Harian.

“But when you get an infection in the mall, then you return to the home. Then you start to infect your family, your friends and etc. So now the infection has actually involved six generations,” Dr Noor Hisham said.

“Those who are infected in the mall may be the first generation. But those coming back home and infecting others, it’s already leading to six generations.”

But Dr Noor Hisham mentioned that through the MySejahtera app, 90 per cent of infections in Selangor were able to be traced, whether in Selangor or out of Selangor.

Selangor has been recording a sharp increase in cases in the past week, mostly due to population density and the high rate of population mobility in the state. The MOH said that one-third of Covid-19 cases in Selangor had travel history to Sabah while two-thirds of cases were community transmissions.

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