Lack of physical distancing likely caused Tawar and Sala Covid-19 clusters, says health DG

Dr Noor Hisham reminds the public to practice physical distancing when visiting patients at hospitals.

PUTRAJAYA: Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said today the Tawar and Sala Covid-19 clusters in Kedah were likely spread by the lack of physical distancing.

At a press conference, Noor Hisham said while the actual cause for both clusters was still under investigation, the lack of physical distancing might have contributed to more infections.

He said a gathering of family members who flouted standard operating procedures (SOP) was found to have contributed to the spread of the Tawar cluster.

Meanwhile, the Sala cluster had spread due to an index case visiting a hospital with family members, he said.

“Although there were no positive Covid-19 cases identified at the hospital, all family members, together with the index case who visited the patient, were detected as positive.

“The Covid-19 infection was then spread to close contacts and family members of the individual,” he said.

Noor Hisham reminded those visiting patients at hospitals to wear face masks throughout the duration of their visit, practice physical distancing by standing one metre away from patients and to always wash their hands or use a hand sanitiser.

As at noon today, there was one new case in the Tawar cluster, bringing the total number of infections in the cluster to 47.

Two cases were recorded under the Sala cluster, making a total of eight positive cases in total. - FMT