Zero Pasai-linked case, Kapit’s Gelong Cluster spreads to Bukit Mabong

Signboard prohibiting outsiders from entering Pasai Siong.

By Karen Bong

KUCHING, Feb 18: For the first time in 50 days since its outbreak on Dec 29 last year, Pasai Cluster reported no new Covid-19 case today, thus maintaining the total number of cases at 2,596. 

While the worst could be over as Pasai Cluster continued to see a downward trend in new infections in recent days, it should be noted that there were still 304 individuals awaiting for lab test results as of yesterday (Feb 17).


But unfortunately, the Gelong Cluster in Kapit which was formed in the community of Taman Sri Gelong at Jalan Selirik after a 47-year-old man tested positive following his father’s funeral with close family members, had spread to Bukit Mabong District today.

State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC), in a statement today, reported that 11 people have contracted Covid-19 linked to the Gelong Cluster to push the cluster tally of positive cases to 60 as of today (Feb 18).

The cluster recorded 13 cases on Feb 16 and 35 cases yesterday (Feb 17).

A total of 101 individuals have been screened whereby 37 are still awaiting for lab test results. 
The Jan Yong Cluster, also in Kapit, which was declared yesterday involving a longhouse at Sungai Yong, with a total 14 positive cases so far did not record any case today.

Currently, a total of 200 patients are isolated and treated at Kapit Hospital as well as Quarantine and Low-Risk Treatment Centre Kapit.

Out of the 22 active clusters in Sarawak, three clusters recorded an increase in daily infections today including Kampung Sungai Maong Cluster in Kuching and Nanga Lijan Cluster in Julau, apart from Gelong Cluster.

Kampung Sungai Maong Cluster registered 10 cases today to push the cluster tally to 40 cases today. A total of 100 individuals have been screened whereby 25 are still awaiting lab results.

Nanga Lijan Cluster registered one case today to increase the cluster tally to 53 cases. A total of 649 individuals have been screened whereby only one is still awaiting lab test result.

Other than Jan Yong Cluster, the remaining 18 clusters did not record any cases today. They are Geronggang and Mas Merah in Sibu, Univista in Samarahan, Kidurong Dua and Jun Heng in Bintulu, Seruas in Beluru, Sebangkoi in Sri Aman, Bintang Daily in Meradong, Jalan Pengiran in Matu, Tabong in Bau, Indah Riang and Stutong in Kuching, Bedayan in Serian, Rakut, Bah Sayap and Jelita in Miri as well as Bukit Sekubong in Sebauh.

Meanwhile, Sarawak reported two Covid-19 fatalities in Sibu and 200 cases with Sibu registering the highest number of daily infections at 120 cases, Kanowit (22), Kuching (17), Sebauh (11), Bukit Mabong (11), four each in Kapit, Miri and Sri Aman, Bau (3), and one each in Bintulu, Betong, Julau and Subis.

This thus increased the State tally of positive cases to 7,425 and death toll to 67. — DayakDaily