THE Health Ministry has detected a new Covid-19 cluster of 12 cases, involving migrant workers at a construction site in Setia Alam, near Shah Alam in Selangor.

The cases were detected when workers were screened before being allowed to resume work at the site.

Under the conditional movement control order that allows to economic sectors to reopen, construction workers must be screened before resuming work.

Director-General of Health Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said a private hospital detected the cluster on May 6.

Five workers had undergone Covid-19 screening at the hospital, and three were found to be positive.

“The three positive cases were Bangladesh nationals who shared accommodation with 18 others.

“Following that, investigation and screening was conducted on the close contacts of the three cases,” he said, adding that this led to more cases being detected.

As of 12pm today, 12 out of the 28 people screened are confirmed as positive.

Nine are negative while seven others are still awaiting results.

Noor Hisham said the source of infection is still being traced.

Foreign workers have emerged as the latest concern for Covid-19 infections in Malaysia after cases were found at the Selayang wholesale market and at a construction site in Ampang.

Dr Noor Hisham has said previously that the coronavirus could spread rapidly among this group as they lived in close quarters in large numbers. – May 9, 2020.