By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, May 27: More than 40 Covid-19 cases have been linked to tHe Spring shopping mall to date after seven security personnel tested positive on May 18 and triggered the Jalan Simpang Tiga Cluster.
State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) advisor Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian shared this in a post on his Facebook page today given the results of Covid-19 swab tests carried out by the Kuching Division Health Office (PKB) since the outbreak.
He added that PKB Kuching will need to screen all the close contacts linked to these 40 plus cases including family members, friends and colleagues whom they have come into contact with in the last 14 days.
“(I was made to) Understand from PKB Kuching (that an) urgent ACD (active case detection operation was carried out in (tHe) Spring shopping centre after more than 40 of the workers (swab tests) came back positive to date (Cluster Jalan Simpang Tiga)… potentially transmitting to the community.
“Thanks PKB Kuching for this swift action.
“(There will be) Long hours ahead as all the close contacts of the 40 plus cases – families, friends, colleagues for the last 14 days will need to be Covid-19 risk assessed and/or PCR swabbed,” he said.
He thus advised those who have undergone testing to observe self-quarantine until the swab test results have been released out in order not to prevent further spread within the wider community as potential cases may be asymptomatic.
Dr Sim, who is also Minister for Local Government and Housing, also emphasised that he had requested the Health Ministry (MOH) to come up with strict standard operating procedures (SOP) for places where positive cases have been identified.
The SOP, he added, must clearly specify information on disinfection operation, closing of premises and having workers undergo Covid-19 testing in order to ensure premises are safe for the public and customers to visit.
Meanwhile, the Jalan Simpang Tiga Cluster, which is traced to tHe Spring shopping mall, was declared by State Health Department on May 21 has recorded 45 infections so far.
The mall had immediately taken precautionary measures to close the premises for cleaning and sanitisation on May 19 while all staff were instructed to undergo testing. — DayakDaily
(Editor’s note: This news story has been updated to provide accurate information on the Covid-19 cases related to the Jalan Simpang Tiga Cluster)
