Sibu clerk source of 34 Covid-19 infections, creates Kg Hilir Cluster

Sibu's iconic landmark — the swan statue by the Rajang River.

By Lian Cheng

KUCHING, March 16: A new Covid-19 cluster has emerged at Jalan Kampung Hilir, Sibu after a 22-year-old clerk was identified as the index case for 34 other infections as of today.

The State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) said the newly detected cluster dubbed the Kampung Hilir Cluster is a community cluster where the index case is believed to have contracted the illness from the community while moving around Sibu town.

The clerk was confirmed positive for Covid-19 following a screening at Lanang Health Clinic on March 10 after displaying symptoms.

Further investigations and active case detection was carried out, resulting in 41 close contacts to the index case being screened.

Out of the 41 individuals who were screened, 34 tested positive for Covid-19 and four tested negative while the test results of two individuals are still pending.

“All 35 cases were referred to Sibu Hospital for isolation and further treatment. No deaths were reported involving the cluster,” said SDMC in a statement today.

SDMC also stated that all those found to be in close contacts with the clerk have been placed in a low risk quarantine centre at Laila Taib College in Sibu. — DayakDaily