THE Health Ministry has discovered a new cluster of 17 infections, which spans across three states.

Cases linked to the Kencana cluster was discovered in Hulu Langat, Petaling, Klang and Gombak in Selangor as well as Cheras in Kuala Lumpur.

Health authorities have also traced cases linked to the cluster in Johor Baru, Batu Pahat and Pontian in Johor. 

Director-general of health Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah today said the cluster’s index case tested positive for Covid-19 on October 7, after experiencing symptoms and is currently being treated at the Sg Buloh Hospital.

Another 16 cases were discovered following screening of close contacts. 

As of noon today, 23 individuals were screened in the cluster, of whom four tested negative. Two are still waiting for their test results.

Kencana brings the number of active clusters in the country to 28.

Noor Hisham said new clusters have been sprouting lately especially in Peninsular Malaysia, in addition to existing active clusters reporting new cases.

As a result, there are now 52 districts in Peninsular Malaysia, which has been classified as yellow zones while 19 have become red zones.

“The ministry is taking a lot of measures, such as active case detection, surveillance at sentinel clinics and hospitals, disinfection and sanitisation as well as stepping up testing, tracing, isolation and treatment,” he said.

He also urged the public to continue helping the ministry by complying with the new normal and standard operating procedure to break the chain of Covid-19 infections before it gets out of hand. – October 14, 2020.