THE Health Ministry is still investigating the source of the Tawar and Sala clusters of Covid-19 infections, but it is clear that health standard operating procedures were breached, Health Director-General Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said.

Based on current information, infections in the two clusters emerging in Kedah had several contributing factors.

“The spread of infections in the Tawar cluster was found to be contributed by gatherings among family members who did not fully comply with the SOP.

“For example, the capacity of guests in this cluster did not comply with the size of the premises, and there was no social distancing. 

“This caused the virus to spread,” he told a press conference in Putrajaya today, adding that the cause of infection for the index case is still under investigation.

The Tawar cluster began with a Malaysian who attended the funeral of a family member on July 31 and August 1.

The cluster reported one new Covid-19 infection today, bringing the total to 47 cases, which are spread across Kedah and Penang. A total of 1,490 people so far have been screened in this cluster.

The Sala cluster’s index case had a history of visiting patients at a hospital with some family members.  

“All family members who went with the index case to visit the patient tested positive,” he said.

This cluster, which is also spread across Kedah and Penang, recorded two new cases today, bringing its total to eight. To date, 635 people have been screened.

Dr Noor Hisham said the virus then had spread to those who had close contact with the index case and their family members who visited the hospital.

“We fear that the hospital visit may have contributed to the spread of infection.”

He said the spread of infection could have been controlled if the cases involved had followed health SOPs by avoiding crowded places.

Conversations could still have been held but not at close proximity, he added. – August 18, 2020.