KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry has confirmed a new Covid-19 cluster, involving 14 new Covid-19 cases, bringing the tally to 50.
All 14 cases were first and second generation cases linked to patient 26, an Uda Holdings Bhd board member, who tested positive on March 1.
Patient 26 had a history of travel to Shanghai, China, in January, but did not show symptoms until six weeks later.
“After 11 days without new reported cases, a second wave began on Feb 27. As of March 4, the second wave has recorded 28 positive cases (which are cases 23 to 50)," said Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah in a statement today.
“The new cluster involves case 26. Based on investigations and contact tracing carried out to date, 215 close contacts of case 26 have been detected.
“This brings the total number of positive cases in this cluster to 21 cases (cases 30 to 50).”
It added that from the total, 16 cases were found positive, 19 negative, while 180 were still awaiting test results.
The ministry also said five cases were close contacts to several of the 16 close contacts traced to patient 26.
“From the information gathered, patient 26 had been involved in several activities.”
From the 16, one was an officer with patient 26, while the other 15 cases have attended one or more activities or events with patient 26.
Among the activities stated by the health ministry were:
Activity 1: Eight close contacts attended. Six tested positive, two negative.
Activity 2: 10 close contacts attended. Four were positive, two negative and four were pending results.
Activity 3: 15 close contacts attended. Ten found positive, four negative and one pending results.
Activity 4: 21 close contacts attended. One tested positive, 11 negative, and nine pending results.
Activity 5: Seven close contacts attended, with one tested positive and six negative.
Meanwhile, the ministry has advised companies and organisations with positive cases against closing offices, adding that it was sufficient to conduct disinfection process.
“At the same time, the public is asked not to spread any information that could cause panic.
“Investigations into this cluster are ongoing. Therefore, the ministry hopes that everyone will remain calm and continue cooperating by giving accurate information when contacted or identified as a close contact.”