NO links were found between the Tawar and Sivagangga Covid-19 cluster in Kedah, although the two share the same virus strain, said Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

The director-general of health said the Ministry was unable to establish any links between the spread of infection in both clusters.

Noor Hisham said while the ministry is still monitoring the Tawar cluster, the 28 day surveillance period for the Sivagangga cluster has ended. 

“We found from our lab studies that the Sivagangga cluster had the D614G-type of mutation strain and the Tawar cluster has the same mutation, but we could not find any links between the two clusters,” he added.

The Sivagangga cluster, which went on to infect 45 people, was discovered after an overseas returnee had violated the mandatory 14-day quarantine order 

There were 79 cases reported in the Tawar cluster, which originated at a memorial service in Kedah. The cluster went on to spread across state lines to Penang.

Noor Hisham added it’s also possible that the Sungai cluster has the same virus strain. 

The Sungai cluster was discovered at the Kedah Medical Centre when a health worker was tested positive for Covid-19 on September 5.

The cluster has, thus far, reported 58 cases. – September 15, 2020.