THE Health Ministry today revealed the discovery of a new Covid-19 cluster in Johor, dubbed the Orkim cluster.

Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the cluster involved the crew of a ship in Pasir Gudang Port.

“The first case in this cluster involved an Indonesian man who signed on in Singapore on September 10.

“He developed fever, cough and diarrhoea on September 13 but did not inform his employer,” Noor Hisham said.

He added that the man signed off on September 17 sought treatment at a private clinic last Tuesday before being referred to Permai Hospital, where he tested positive for Covid-19.

“On September 23, he was transferred to Hospital Enche’ Besar Hajjah Khalsom,” Noor Hisham added.

He said another crew member, also an Indonesian, tested positive in a health screening.

The second case was classified as asymptomatic and referred to Hospital Enche’ Besar Hajjah Khalsom.

“Thirty crew mates from the ship were screened and only two were positive. Twenty-four tested negative, while the remaining four are still waiting for their test results,” he said.

The source of the infection is still under investigation. – September 25, 2020.