New Cluster In Kuching Linked To Sri Petaling Gathering

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CORONAVIRUS | New Covid-19 infection cluster has been detected in Kuching, Sarawak involving 37 positive cases so far
According to Health Ministry director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, investigation revealed that the new group branded as Cluster Taman BDC was linked to the tabligh gathering in Sri Petaling, Kuala Lumpur in late February
"This involved the Sri Petaling gathering, where the index case had attended the gathering and in turn spread the virus to largely his family members, a mosque congregation (in Kuching) and his colleagues
"So far, the chain of infection from this cluster has reached up to three generations," he told a press conference this evening
Reporters have been informed by MOH that the index case in Taman BDC cluster was tested positive on March 8, before more cases were later traced to the area and led to the discovery of the cluster
The Sri Petaling tabligh gathering is the biggest Covid-19 infection group in the country so far with 2,266 positive cases linked to the cluster
To date, the total number of positive cases in the country is 6,353
Authorities have estimated that the gathering which took place between Feb 28 and March 1 was participated by around 16,000 people, including 1,500 foreigners
With the new cluster, Sarawak to date has seen four major clusters in the state. The other clusters are the Kuching church gathering cluster, Italy returnee cluster and healthcare workers cluster
Meanwhile, on the infectivity of asymptomatic patients, Noor Hisham said they found that the risk of infecting others is low when a Covid-19 positive person does not show any symptoms
According to him, the quantity of virus in one's body is still low and thus he or she is less likely to spread the virus to others
"But one or two days before one starts showing symptoms, the quantity of virus has increased and thus it can spread
"So, if anyone starts showing symptoms, please go to a clinic and get screened and tested for Covid-19," he said. - Mkini

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