Sabah Official: New COVID-19 Cluster Maybe Linked To Kaamatan Celebration
The cluster is reported to have a total of 40 reported cases so far.
By Daranee Balachandar — 17 Jun 2021, 12:50 PM
A new COVID-19 cluster located in the outskirts of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah is believed to be related to a Kaamatan Festival gathering on 31 May
According to Bernama, this is reportedly the first cluster linked to the harvest festival in the East Malaysian state.
The cluster is reported to have a total of 40 reported cases so far.
State Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said that the Kionsom Kecil Cluster was detected through a symptomatic screening of a man at the Jesselton Medical Centre on 9 June, Malay Mail reported.
The 31-year-old man who works at an engineering firm in Inanam — a suburb located 10KM from Kota Kinabalu city centre — was identified as the cluster's patient zero
He is currently isolated in a quarantine centre after testing positive.
It is reported that authorities have since conducted screenings on several of his close contacts.
"A total of 86 individuals have undergone the COVID-19 screening tests, 40 of which tested positive, 12 samples were negative, and 34 others are awaiting results," Masidi said in a statement yesterday, 16 June.
Following detection of the cluster, Kampung Kionsom Kecil has been placed under an Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) from today, Free Malaysia Today reported.
Sabah recorded 184 new cases and three COVID-19 related deaths as of yesterday, 16 June
This brings the state's cumulative number of cases to 66,730, Masidi said.
Tawau, Kunak, and Penampang were among the districts that contributed to the number of new cases reported with 33,15, and 12 cases respectively, reported Free Malaysia Today.
Meanwhile, 13 districts recorded only single-digit cases and another 10 districts did not register any new infection, the minister said.
As of yesterday, 16 June, Malaysia reported 5150 new COVID-19 cases and 73 deaths related to the disease.
