COVID-19: Four new clusters detected

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 1 -- Four new COVID-19 clusters - the Jalan Meru Cluster in Selangor, Joo Hwa Cluster in Sabah, Selasih Cluster in Putrajaya and Bah Ketil Cluster in Kedah - have been detected in the country, said Health director-general Tan Sri Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

He said the Jalan Meru Cluster was detected in Klang, with its index case (case 11,148) involving a 30-year-old local man who began showing symptoms on Sept 24.

“He was tested positive on Sept 29 and admitted to the Sungai Buloh Hospital. Following that, close contact screening was conducted and three other positive COVID-19 cases involving locals were recorded for the cluster.

“Contact tracing exercise is currently being conducted by the district health offices concerned,” he told a press conference on COVID-19 development here today.

On the Joo Hwa Cluster which was detected in Tawau, Sabah, Dr Noor Hisham said the index case (case 10,273) for this cluster involved a 31-year-old local man.

“The case began to experience symptoms on Sept 14 and was confirmed positive with COVID-19 on Sept 20. Contact screening was then conducted and four positive cases involving locals were detected for the cluster. They were later admitted to the Tawau Hospital for treatment,” he said.

Dr Noor Hisham said the Selasih Cluster was identified following COVID-19 screening conducted on the index case involving a 37-year-old local man with history travel to Kota Kinabalu, Melangkap and Kundasang, Sabah from Sept 13 to 20 and from Sept 24 to 27.

“The case started displaying symptoms such as fever and cough on Sept 25, the case arrived at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) on Sept 27 and was confirmed positive on Sept 28.

“Six more positive cases involving locals were identified for the cluster as a result of close contact screening conducted and they were admitted to the Sungai Buloh Hospital for treatment,” he said.

For the Bah Ketil Cluster which was detected in Baling and Langkawi, Dr Noor Hisham said the index case for the cluster involved a 39-year-old local man who travelled to Tawau, Sabah from Sept 17 to 21.

“The case had symptoms such as cough and muscle pain on Sept 24 and sought treatment at a medical centre in Sungai Petani, Kedah.

“The case was confirmed positive for COVID-19 on Sept 28. Following that, close contact screening was conducted and eight more positive cases involving three locals were detected for the cluster,” he said adding that they are now being treated at the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital and the Langkawi Hospital.

Dr Noor Hisham said the source of the infection for the Joo Hwa Cluster, the Selasih Cluster and the Bah Ketil Cluster is still being investigated.

Meanwhile, he said there were seven other clusters that recorded an increase in COVID-19 positive cases namely the Laut Cluster, Benteng LD Cluster, Bakau Cluster, Sakong Cluster and Bangau-bangau Cluster in Sabah; Bakawali Cluster in Johor; as well as the Tembok Cluster in Kedah.

-- BERNAMA