Factories Top Workplace Cluster List Since March

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Factories formed the bulk of workplace clusters during the third Covid-19 wave, said the Health Ministry.
Of the 1,549 workplace clusters classified from March 28 until yesterday, 50.35 percent of clusters involved factories, followed by the service sector (16.78 percent), and construction (11.68 percent).
These workplace clusters have resulted in 133,247 cases and 370 deaths.
There are 32 individuals from these clusters still in intensive care. The Health Ministry is still monitoring 764 workplace clusters.
A quarter of workplace clusters were located in Selangor followed by Johor (20.8 percent), and Kuala Lumpur (9.6 percent).
A third "nationwide" movement control order (MCO) was imposed on May 12 followed by a "total lockdown" on June 1.
Yet, many types of factories were still allowed to operate.
It was only on July 1 that Putrajaya decided to limit the definition of "essential service" factories to those producing basic necessities such as food, masks, and medicine.
These curbs were lifted on Aug 16. Factories can now operate in full capacity if more than 80 percent of their workforce are fully vaccinated.
The Health Ministry said to reduce the spread of Covid-19 in workplaces, it updated its Management Guidelines For Workplaces (Annex 25).
The ministry said it, and other government departments, also held engagement sessions on July 27, Aug 5, and Aug 17 with various trade groups.
"We must learn from the past which has led to many Covid-19 deaths and the stoppage of various economic sectors and social sectors.
"We have to play our respective parts to protect this country from Covid-19," said Health Ministry director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
During the same third wave period (March 28 to Aug 17), the Health Ministry said there were 880 clusters classified as community clusters, resulting in 58,776 Covid-19 cases and 417 deaths.
Most of the community clusters were reported in Kelantan, Sarawak, and Sabah.
Slightly over half the community clusters involved visiting friends or family, despite rules forbidding such activities. - Mkini

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