Infected medics in Sabah are from two hospitals in Keningau and Likas

KOTA KINABALU: Medical staff infected the Covid-19 virus in Sabah are from two main clusters — Keningau Hospital and the Women and Children’s Hospital (HWKK) in Likas, says Sabah Health Department director Datuk Dr Christina Rundi (pic).

She said of the 11 medical staff infected with the virus, eight were based in the HWKK and the rest in Keningau.

“They were most likely infected outside the hospital. Our initial investigations found that the person who first got the virus transmitted it to several other colleagues, ” Dr Rundi said.

“There is no cross-transmission to patients because all our staff are properly dressed in personal protection equipment (PPE) before they start their duties, ” she added.

She added that the cases in HWKK also contributed to the increase of Covid-19 cases in Kota Kinabalu.

Sabah's capital is now a red zone with 42 cases recorded thus far. The other red zone is Tawau district with 79 cases.

Dr Rundi urged the public not to worry as they had already instructed those involved to either be quarantined (home or at state provided facilities), and for samples to be taken of their close contacts including colleagues and family members.

She said that the necessary steps had been taken immediately to contain the spread of the virus, and added that the quarantine of staff would not affect the operation of the two hospitals.

Dr Rundi also said Sabah recorded 288 positive cases and four deaths as of April 16.

A total of 23,480 samples out of 279,826 screened had been tested and are awaiting results. - Star