'High number of cases in N Sembilan from identified clusters'

 

COVID-19 | The spike in Covid-19 cases recorded in Negeri Sembilan this week was contributed by identified infection clusters, said Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

The Health director-general told reporters that while authorities are concerned on the high number of cases in the state, the need has yet to arise for a targeted enhanced movement control order (MCO).

"We will do a risk assessment at every state, and identify localities that (have a high risk), before deciding if there is the need to impose a targeted enhanced MCO.

"However, if an outbreak at a given area can be contained, like in the case of the Sofi and Cergas clusters, then there is no need for it," he said during the Health Ministry's daily press conference on Covid-19 today.

Noor Hisham gave the example of today's figure recorded in the state, which is 240 new cases, saying that 221 of them came from the Cergas cluster that involved the workers of a factory in Seremban.

According to him, the factory is located near a tahfiz school in Seremban, where the Sofi cluster was found.

"There may be an outbreak in the area. So, what we do is conduct screening on all the factory workers, especially at their hostels, and also disinfection activities.

"Although we have not imposed the targeted enhanced MCO there, authorities have identified the workers involved for screening. The factory has also shut down its operation temporarily.

"All positive cases would be isolated at hospitals or quarantine centres. Those who have been exposed to positive cases will also be quarantined, he said. 

"So, we hope that we will be able to identify all the cases in this cluster," he added.

For the record, Negeri Sembilan has been recording three-digit cases every day since Sunday.

Yesterday, the state reported 225 cases, of which 209 were linked to the Cergas cluster. On Tuesday, the cluster saw 42 new cases out of a total of 141 recorded that day.

As of noon today, the Cergas cluster registered a total of 724 cases since its index case was found positive on Oct 29.

The Sofi cluster to date registered a total of 107 cases since its index case was tested positive for the coronavirus on Oct 20.

Noor Hisham said that several other clusters that have contributed to the high number of cases in Negeri Sembilan include the Kaya cluster involving cargo workers and employees of Pos Malaysia, the Taman Bunga cluster, and the Jernih cluster. - Mkini