THE targeted enhanced movement-control order for the Alor Setar Prison in Kedah will be extended for another 14 days, said Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

The senior minister said the decision was made today after discussing the situation at the prison with Kedah’s government and the National Security Council.

The targeted EMCO will be extended from October 19 until November 1.

“Seeing that the cases are still increasing in the prison cluster, the Kedah security council and the state government have asked for an extension. This decision is also based on the health ministry’s advice,” he said during a press conference.

The targeted EMCO for the Alor Setar Prison initially began on October 5 and was due to end tomorrow. 

“This extension will enable continuous monitoring and screening to ensure the Covid-19 chain is broken for inmates and the prison staff,” Ismail said.

The Alor Setar prison cluster was detected on September 30 following the death of a 46-year-old man who had worked at the prison.

A Covid-19 test after his death found the man to have been infected with the virus.

Subsequent tests discovered the infection within the cluster has spread among prison inmates.

The Covid-19 situation in Malaysia continues to escalate with a record 869 infections reported in the last 24 hours.

Yesterday’s number of cases topped the previous highest tally recorded on October 6 of 691, taking the cumulative total to 19,627.

The death toll also rose to 180 with four fatalities reported in the past 24 hours.

On recoveries, 302 patients have been discharged, taking the total number of recoveries to 12,561 or 64% of total cases.

There are 6,886 active cases currently, with 91 in intensive care units, of which 30 require respiratory support. – October 18, 2020.