COVID-19: New Kencana Cluster identified in Selangor, KL, Johor

KUALA LUMPUR: A new COVID-19 cluster, the Kencana Cluster, has been identified in Hulu Langat, Petaling, Klang and Gombak districts in Selangor, Cheras in Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru, Batu Pahat and Pontian districts in Johor.

Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the index case for the cluster (case no. 13,805) tested positive for the virus on Oct 7, and was admitted to Sungai Buloh Hospital. Close contact screening found 16 more COVID-19 positive cases.

"As of 12 noon today, 23 individuals have been screened, of whom 17 tested positive while four were negative and two more are still waiting for the results," said Noor Hisham at a virtual press conference posted on the Health Ministry's Facebook page today.

The addition of the new cluster today brings the total number of active COVID-19 clusters in the country to 71.

Dr Noor Hisham said, following the spike in the number of active COVID-19 cases and clusters, several districts in Peninsular Malaysia had been turned into yellow and red zones.

To date, he said, 52 districts have been turned into yellow zones and 19 districts into red zones throughout Peninsular Malaysia.

"The Health Ministry (MOH) has taken various actions, for example conducting Active Case Detection (ACD), continuing surveillance activities at sentinel clinics and hospitals, carrying out cleaning and decontamination activities, as well as improving testing, detection, isolation and treatment," he said.

He said, MOH with the cooperation of various agencies was trying to explain, advice and educate the people, to continue to cultivate the new norms to break the chain of infection.

-- BERNAMA