By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, April 25: A 39-year-old woman who works as a hydroelectric dam construction worker was identified as the index case for a new Covid-19 cluster known as the Putai Cluster in Bukit Mabong, which so far has seen 242 staff and workers at the construction site testing positive for Covid-19.
According to reports from the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC), the Putai Cluster is a construction site cluster involving hydroelectric dam project workers at Putai, Ulu Baleh in Bukit Mabong.
“The index case to the cluster is case 24,171, a 39-year-old local woman who was identified through pre-occupation screening before returning back to work at the construction site after taking a vacation in Kapit.
“The case tested positive for Covid-19 on April 18.
“Following investigations into the index case, (it was discovered) she had contacts with two cases from the Pasai Cluster which ended on April 13,” SDMC said.
The committee added targeted screening for construction workers and staff at the construction site has identified 242 more Covid-19 cases.
Meanwhile, a total of 358 individuals related to the Putai Cluster have been screened for Covid-19.
From this, 243 individuals including the index case have tested positive and 115 individuals tested negative.
The committee said 17 individuals have been sent to a low risk quarantine centre in Kapit for treatment while 226 staff and construction workers are being treated at a low risk quarantine centre set up at the construction site.
Meanwhile, SDMC said there were two new Covid-19 clusters identified by the State Health Department today, comprising the Putai Cluster and the Rayang Cluster in Serian.
With this, there are currently a total of 58 active Covid-19 clusters in Sarawak, from which 18 clusters reported a total of 270 new cases today. — DayakDaily
