A child being swabbed for Covid-19 by a health worker. – File photo by Bernama
KUCHING (Feb 23): A new Covid-19 cluster has been identified in Betong, dubbed the Jalan Muhibbah Cluster, which has 18 cases as of today, the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) said.
It said in an update today that the cluster, identified by the Health Department, originated from a private residence at Jalan Muhibbah in the district, which hosted a private social gathering on Feb 10.
The index case in the cluster, Case 7407, is a 50-year-old man who tested positive for the virus on Feb 16.
“This index case started to have and show symptoms on Feb 14, 2021,” the committee said in a statement, adding that the additional cases were detected through contact tracing and screening
So far, 110 people have been tested, 45 were found negative and 47 are still waiting for their results.
The 18 people who tested positive have been warded at Sarikei Hospital and the Sarikei quarantine and treatment centre.
SDMC said that there were 25 Covid-19 active clusters today.
Among them were the Emperoh Jambu Cluster here which recorded 10 more cases today, bringing the total number to 70. Some 337 individuals have been screened, 90 were found negative and 177 are still awaiting their test results.
The Sungai Bakong cluster in Meradong today had 35 new cases for a total of 57, while the Univista cluster in Samarahan had four for a total of 61 and the Pasai Cluster in Sibu had two cases for a total of 2,648.
The Kampung Sungai Maong cluster increased to 44, Kidurong Dua Cluster 14, Nanga Lijan Cluster in Julau (61), Seruas cluster in Beluru (81), and the Rakut Cluster in Miri rose to 187 with two more cases today.
Clusters namely Jalan Green Kuching, Kejatau Sri Aman, Jan Yong Kapit, Geronggang Sibu, Mas Merah Sibu, Gelong Kapit, Sebangkoi Sri Aman, Jun Heng Bintulu, Bintang Daily Meradong, Jalan Pengiran Matu, Tabong Bau, Indah Riang Kuching, Bedayan Serian, Bukit Sekubong Sebauh, Jelita Miri and Bah Sayap Miri did not record any case today.
Meanwhile, the state Health Department today announced that the Bah Sayap Cluster in Miri had ended as no new cases have been reported in the last 28 days.
The cluster had 96 cases and no deaths.