New school cluster detected in Sabah

 

A new Covid-19 cluster involving a secondary school in Ranau was recorded today after a student tested positive following a self-test. - NSTP file pic

KOTA KINABALU: A new Covid-19 cluster involving a secondary school in Ranau was recorded today after a student tested positive following a self-test.

Sabah Covid-19 spokesman Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said the index case for the Puri Ranau Cluster was a 19-year-old girl at SMK Ranau.

"A Covid-19 confirmation test was conducted where the index case was found to be positive. Screening of her classmates and roommates found six more people positive.

"All the female students were in Category 1 and 2. They have been isolated and are being given the appropriate treatment," he said in a statement.

Ranau was the first district to record a new Covid-19 cluster in the state this year. On Jan 3, a new cluster named "Jalan Kem Bina" was identified in Ranau.

It involved Hotel Perkasa in Kundasang, Ranau whose index cluster was an employee. The cluster recorded 54 positive cases so far.

Masidi said the number of daily cases in Sabah had once again risen to over 200, with 201 new cases recorded today.

Of the new cases, 196 cases were in Categories 1 and 2, four were in Category 3 and one case was in Category 4.

One death was recorded in Tuaran.

Meanwhile, Masidi said the state government had given permission to conduct prayer ceremonies in conjunction with the Thaipusam celebration in the state today at three temples.

The temples were Sri Sitti Vinayagar Temple in Sandakan, Sri Thirumurugan Temple in Tawau, and Sri Subramaniar Temple, Lok Kawi Camp in Putatan.

However, the kavadi ceremony was not allowed.

"Permission is granted subject to compliance with strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) set to curb the spread of Covid-19," he said, adding that all devotees entering the temples had to be fully vaccinated. - NST