New “Alam Cluster” Found Aboard Oil Tanker In Bintulu, Four Crew Members Confirmed Positive

Despite the low number of cases, a new cluster was detected in Bintulu, Sarawak yesterday, 20 August. The cluster called “Alam” was confirmed in Sarawak after four crew members on board a ship anchored at Bintu Port tested positive for Covid-19.

The Edge Markets reported that the State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) Sarawak, the oil tanker registered in Port Klang had been at Toyama-Shinko Port, Japan from July 27-Aug 1, and stopped over at Labuan Port on Aug 10.

“En route to Bintulu waters, the captain informed the shipping agent that there were two crew members who were ill and needed hospital treatment.”

From initial investigation, it shows that the cluster originated from overseas where it was probably introduced when crew signed on when the stopped at an international port.

Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah reassured that the Alam cluster does not pose a risk of community transmission as it is an isolated imported cluster of cases aboard a ship.

Five crew members experienced symptoms with four testing positive and one still awaiting results. The imported cases comprise of two Malaysians and two foreigners. The infected patients are currently being treated at Hospital Bintulu, Sarawak.

What do you think of the emergence of this new cluster? Let us know in the comments section!

 

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