THE Health Ministry has detected a cluster linked to a senior citizen who succumbed to Covid-19 on June 12. 

Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said two health personnel of Queen Elizabeth 2 Hospital in Sabah tested positive for the coronavirus. 

The cases were detected from tracing close contacts of the deceased. 

“As of noon today, 63 individuals, including 21 healthcare workers, two patients, 40 family members and friends, were identified and screened,” Noor Hisham told his daily press conference. 

The index case of the cluster was a woman, 96, who died of heart complications at her home. 

She posthumously tested positive for Covid-19 at the Forensic Department of Queen Elizabeth 2 Hospital. 

She had previously received treatment at the same hospital. 

Noor Hisham said disinfection and sanitisation activities have been carried out at the ward and deceased’s residence. 

“Services at Queen Elizabeth 2 Hospital will not be disrupted and will go on as usual. The source of infection is still under investigation,” he added. 

On the Kuala Selangor old folks’ home, Noor Hisham said 64 people have been screened as of  noon today after a positive case was detected there. 

The screened included 12 staff, 24 residents, 10 family members, 13 healthcare workers and five members of the public.

Seven positive cases were detected, while 43 tested negative. The remaining 14 are awaiting results. 

Noor Hisham added that disinfection and sanitisation have been carried out at the facility. 

Staff have also been briefed on preventive measures, such as social distancing and donning personal protection equipment, while dealing with residents. 

“The centre is operating as usual and the residents have been quarantined in the centre,” he said. 

He added that the ministry will continue monitoring the centre and those who experience symptoms will be hospitalised and treated. – June 17, 2020.