Expect big jump in Covid-19 cases in Kota Kinabalu, warns Sabah minister
This is due to the Kepayan prison cluster that continues to report a high number of new cases daily.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Housing and Local Government Minister Masidi Manjun expects a surge in Covid-19 cases in Kota Kinabalu over the next few days.
He based this on the Kepayan prison cluster that continues to report a high number of cases every day, as many more prisoners and prison staff and their family members are undergoing Covid-19 testing.
“The number of prisoners at the Kepayan prison is around 2,700, and after all of them have been screened – if most are positive – Kota Kinabalu Covid-19 cases will jump to a very high number,” Masidi, who is Sabah’s Covid-19 spokesman said, at a press conference.
He said based on early reports, as many as 60% of prisoners and prison staff have tested positive after being screened.
Masidi went on to say he wanted the public to understand the reasons behind any sudden surge in Covid-19 cases in Kota Kinabalu.
”The Kepayan prison cluster is the largest contributor to the high number of daily cases in Kota Kinabalu. The Health Department is now giving its full attention to the cluster.
”Covid-19 screenings are being done widely, not just among prisoners but also for the prison staff and their families. The area of the Kepayan prison has also been put under an enhanced movement control order (EMCO),” he said.
Sabah today reported 535 Covid-19 cases, with 90 cases coming from Kota Kinabalu.
Tawau recorded the highest number of cases today at 115. Masidi however stressed that this high number was due to a backlog of test sample results being known.
Sabah also reported five deaths today – three in Tuaran and one each in Tawau and Semporna.
Three new clusters were reported in Sabah today: the Basung and Inai clusters in Kudat and the Tempayan cluster in Penampang.
He said the Basung cluster involved fish traders in Kudat, with 26 other positive cases. Meanwhile, the Inai cluster, which started from an ‘inai’ ceremony in Kudat, now involves 13 who have tested positive.
”Meanwhile, the Tempayan cluster involves a restaurant in Penampang, with 19 workers and customers testing positive for Covid-19,” he said.
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