Covid-19 - 26 Hari Raya clusters detected, over 1,000 infected

 

The Health Ministry detected 26 Covid-19 clusters linked to Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations between May 13 and  28.

According to a Health Ministry statement today, 1,019 people from these clusters had tested positive out of the 4,047 screened - a positivity rate of 25.1 percent.

Of those infected, two have died while another patient is in an intensive care unit.

These clusters emerged despite the government banning Aidilfitri gatherings.

"The number of cases and clusters is expected to increase and involve more states and districts," said Health Ministry director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah in the statement.

 Aidilfitri celebrations also contributed to 20 interstate travel clusters detected between April 1 and May 28  from which there were 1,420 Covid-19 cases.

There were 31 other interstate travel clusters between Dec 7 and March 31 with 5,048 infections.

Besides festive celebrations, interstate travel clusters were also due to visiting family members, attending weddings, birthdays and funerals, attending courses and ceramah (talks).

Covid-19 cases have been rising exponentially since mid-May, with over 9,000 cases reported today.

Noor Hisham told Malaysiakini that about 70 percent of the cases are sporadic - meaning they are not linked to any cluster and the source of infection is unknown.

In his statement today, he cautioned Malaysians to learn from the Aidilfitri clusters and not repeat the mistakes by flouting health SOPs during the upcoming Kaamatan and Gawai celebrations in Sabah and Sarawak.

"Love yourself and your families, protect the old in the villages and longhouses by not bringing back the Covid-19 virus, this for more meaningful celebrations in the coming years," he said. - Mkini