Church cluster, Islamic event participants told to undergo Covid-19 test

CORONAVIRUS | The divisional health office in Samarahan, Sarawak has urged four groups of individuals there to come forward for a Covid-19 test as new clusters have been identified in the Borneo state.

This included the participants of a religious event dubbed 'Majlis Jerayawara Wawasan Ummah Gemilang' by the Sarawak Islamic Council, at Dewan Suarah Kota Samarahan on March 10; as well as the SMK Kota Samarahan cluster which includes the staff and students of the school.

The other groups are the contacts of the Good News Fellowship church gathering and individuals who were exposed to Covid-19 patients.

"If you are part of any of these groups, you need to come for a test as soon as possible," said the health office in a notice posted on social media.

Health screening will be held at Dewan Suarah Kota Samarahan everyday beginning today between 8.30am to 11am and 1pm to 3pm.

Meanwhile, Sarawak Local Government and Housing Minister Dr Sim Kui Hian urged the four groups to conduct a health screening.

"Please come forward to be assessed and tested. No stigma. No fear. Definitely not your fault," he said.

As of noon yesterday, Sarawak recorded 273 positive cases with 12 deaths.

In a press conference today, Health Ministry director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah pointed out that the church cluster in Sarawak had caused 83 people to get infected and two deaths.

He was referring to a three-day religious event held in Kuching.  Mkini