This pushes the total number of cases in Malaysia to 9,628.

There are now a total of 170 positive cases in the Benteng cluster, with 83 in Tawau and 87 in Lahad Datu.

The Benteng cluster was detected on Sept 2 after 50 undocumented migrants were apprehended during the multi-agency monitoring of smuggling routes used by illegal immigrants under Ops Benteng.

Subsequent Covid-19 screening at the Lahad Datu police headquarters found seven testing positive, with the infection then spreading to the Tawau prison – some 150km away.

At a press conference today, health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said that although the two index cases showed no symptoms and their screening at the Lahad Datu police headquarters returned negative results, the lack of physical distancing when they were detained meant the infection spread quickly.

“Our SOPs state that if we can, we have to separate the old and new detainees,” he said.

“Although the tests (on the index cases) were negative, we should not mix the old and new detainees.

“The incubation period (for Covid-19) is 14 days. So, we have to ensure that we do not mix the old and new cases,” he added.

Today’s other positive cases were linked to the Telaga cluster (two), Sungai cluster (one) and a case detected at the Simpang Kuala health centre — all in Kedah.

The Telaga cluster now has 13 cases in total while the Sungai cluster has 39 cases.

Both clusters involved healthcare workers and Noor Hisham said the ministry was studying the clusters’ genomic sequence to check whether they are linked.

Today’s other positive case was a Malaysian who returned from Brazil.

There are currently 333 active cases in the country, with nine being treated in intensive care units and five needing respiratory assistance.

Twenty-four patients were discharged over the last 24 hours, with total recoveries to date standing at 9,167.

No deaths were recorded today, with the death toll remaining at 128.

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