Two new Covid-19 clusters have been detected over the weekend namely the Bakau Cluster in Semporna, Sabah and the Ara Cluster in Penang.
The Bakau Cluster is believed to have emerged after a Filipino Woman (case 10,145) tested positive for Covid-19 on 16 September. She then transmitted the disease to two other people – one Malaysian and one Filipino national – who have since been admitted to Tawau Hospital for treatment as of 18 September.
The Filipino woman is also the 129th death case as reported by the Ministry of Health. Close contacts screening has been conducted and as of 12pm on 19 September, a total of 109 individuals have been screened with 106 still awaiting results.
The cause of the infection is also still under investigation.
The Ara Cluster was detected when a 44-year-old man (case 10,024) who is a Malaysian citizen, tested positive at the International Entry Point (PMA) in Sandakan, Sabah on 15 September following the arrival of the case from Peninsula Malaysia.
Subsequently, close contact screening was conducted and one positive Covid-19 case was identified. This positive case (case 10,217) is a niece of the index case. The niece tested positive on 19 September and was admitted to Penang Hospital for treatment.
As of 12pm on 20 September, a total of 16 individuals have been screened with 14 of them testing negative. Infection prevention measures including disinfection processes and cleaning processes have been carried out at the locations involved.
The cause of the infection is still under investigation.
Also read: MOH Reminds Malaysians To Be Careful After Five Dengue Deaths Reported In One Week