Wisma Sultan Tengah temporarily closed due to Covid-19 outbreak with at least 24 confirmed cases

The temporary closure order for Wisma Sultan Tengah.

Editor’s Note:  This story has been updated at 5.35pm and later at 9.42pm today.

By Lian Cheng

KUCHING, Feb 22: More than 24 individuals working at the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) at Wisma Sultan Tengah, Jalan Sukma have tested positive for Covid-19, leading to the temporary closure of the whole building.

HDC CEO Mohamad Asman Ahmad said he did not have the exact figures of the personnel affected for the whole building, which is taken up by HDC from the ground floor to the fourth floor and the Sarawak Housing Ministry, which is located on the fifth floor.

“We don’t have the exact figure as we cannot confirmed the with other offices, especially the fifth floor, which is taken up by the Housing Ministry.

“For HDC, there are 24 to 25 cases for the time being (4.37pm),” Mohamad Asman told DayakDaily.

The image of a man putting up a notice regarding the temporary closure of Wisma Sultan Tengah has since gone viral on social media.

“In exercising the powers under Section 18 (1)(f) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988, I the authorised officer hereby order the closure of the following premises from Feb 22, 2022 to Mar 8, 2022 for the purpose of carrying out works to prevent the onset or spread of an infectious disease,” the notice read.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian said there were no positive Covid-19 cases reported from the fifth floor which is occupied by Sarawak Housing Purchaser’s Claims Tribunal.

He however pointed out that said there were two staff from the Public Health, Housing and Local Government Ministry who have been tested positive.

“We have one staff last Thursday and another one yesterday (who tested positive).

“Both are already quarantined at home. Sanitization was done. Those on close contact with them were asked to do RTK test,” said Dr Sim.  — DayakDaily