No new case in Sabah

KOTA KINABALU: No new novel coronavirus (Covid-19) case was detected in Sabah as of yesterday (March 29) out of the 320 tests conducted, said Sabah Health director Datuk Dr Christina Rundi.

As such, the total number of Covid-19 cases maintains at 197.

The highest number of positive cases is reported in Tawau with 57 cases, followed by Lahad Datu (34), Kota Kinabalu (28), Sandakan (15), Kinabatangan (14), Tuaran (12), Putatan (7), Beaufort (7), Kunak (7), Kota Belud (5), Sipitang (4), Ranau (2) and Papar (2).

Penampang, Semporna and Tambunan recorded one case each.

Dr Christina said a total of 116,246 individuals had been screened, of which 6,295 samples were taken.

She said further investigation found that 90 cases - 30 per cent from Tawau, 16.7 per cent from Lahad Datu and 10 per cent from Kota Kinabalu - were linked to the Sri Petaling Mosque tabligh gathering, whereas 94 cases were contacts of the positive Covid-19 patients. She added that four cases had travel history to Thailand (3) and United Kingdom (1), whereas two patients had travelled to Peninsular Malaysia. The remaining cases are still under investigation.

Meanwhile, Dr Christina said 21 quarantine centres had been opened, with the addition of a new centre at Pusat Pengajian Islam dan Dakwah Sabah, Kudat.

“A total of 692 people have been placed in quarantine centres and nine are allowed to leave today.”

She added that 5,777 people were under home quarantine as of March 29. The number of close contacts under the Health Department’s surveillance and observation stood at 5,243 whereas 534 close contacts had completed their 14-day home quarantine.