A COVID-19 cluster has been detected in Johor’s Pengerang, said Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah today.

“The index case (Case 1,508) of this cluster started experiencing symptoms on March 12.

“He was treated for dengue fever at a private clinic on March 16,” the director-general of health told a daily press briefing on the coronavirus in Putrajaya today.

He said the index case visited relatives in Selangor on March 17, and returned to Pengerang the next day.

The patient was admitted to Sultanah Aminah Hospital in critical condition on March 20, and confirmed positive for Covid-19 on March 22.

Ten friends and five family members have tested positive for the virus. Seven are still receiving treatment, while the rest have been discharged.

The patient’s 79-year-old mother and 10-year-old daughter are among those infected. Three cases in the cluster are in the intensive care unit.

“The infection of the family members in other states is believed to be caused by the (index case’s) visit a day before the implementation of the MCO (on March 18),” said Dr Noor Hisham.

Malaysia today reported 50 new Covid-19 cases, bringing the total to 5,532. The death toll stands at 93. – April 22, 2020.