State health director Dr Kasemani Embong said the swab tests involving about 60% of the islanders are expected to be completed later today. Pulau Perhentian has a population of about 2,000.

“The swab tests had to be conducted after 75 positive cases were recorded among the residents. Restrictions on movement from or to the island has also been enforced since Friday.

“The spread of the Covid-19 cases was not caused by the movement of tourists, but by the residents who travel frequently between the island and the mainland,” she said today.

Kasemani said those tested positive have been sent to Setiu Hospital and the Covid-19 quarantine and low-risk treatment centres at the Wawasan Camp and Sultan Mizan Institute of Teachers Education, and are in stable condition.

She said those who had been in close contact with Covid-19 patients were instructed to undergo home quarantine.

A total of 979 residents and tourism industry players in Pulau Perhentian had received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine on Aug 5 under the state health department’s outreach programme.

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