2 Sabah hospitals identified as Covid-19 clusters

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Health Department has identified two clusters of Covid-19 infections among its staff, at the Women and Children’s Hospital (HWKKS) in Likas here and the Keningau Hospital in the interior.

Its director Christina Rundi said the clusters were identified after two weeks of investigation.

She said the cluster at HWKKS had contributed to the rise in cases in the state capital to 42, making Kota Kinabalu the second red zone in Sabah after Tawau.

Sabah had 288 confirmed Covid-19 cases as of yesterday. The highest number of infections is in Tawau (79).

“From our investigations, the source of infection comes from outside the hospital and involves workplace contacts.

“Most likely, the infections took place outside the wards as there were also positive cases among those who stayed under one roof,” she said in her daily briefing late last night.

She added that no cross-infection had been found involving patients as health workers all used personal protective equipment while on duty.

Of the 42 cases in Kota Kinabalu, 24 are linked to the tabligh closer while 11 involve health workers.

Of the 11, eight are staff at HWKKS.

Rundi said state health authorities had taken steps to curb the spread of the virus at the hospitals.

The measures include health screenings for staff members, their families and social contacts. Hospital personnel have also been told to quarantine themselves either at home or at the facilities provided by the department.

“We urge the public not to be worried about the situation as we always try to ensure the virus does not spread at our health facilities,” Rundi said. - FMT