No Covid-19 Mu and Lambda variants in Labuan

KOTA KINABALU: The Labuan Economic Sector Coalition (LESC) says irresponsible quarters on social media had been spreading fake news about the presence of Covid-19 variants Mu and Lambda on the island.

LESC lead facilitator Daniel Doughty said the fake news had terrified the people who then in turn unfairly put the blame on the shipping industry.

"Based on internal reports, we learn that the two cases of concern-cycle threshold load is 28 and 32. We were informed that such reading is post infectious," he said.

According to Labuan Health Ministry director Dr Ismuni Bohari, samples of the cases had been sent to the peninsula for analysis.

The two cases were detected in the vessel where 28 crew members was asked to undergo quarantine on-board.

Health director general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah who commented on the suspected cases confirmed that it was not of the variants Mu or Lambda as circulated by social media.

LESC also urged the federal government to implement a similar standard operating procedures (SOP) imposed in Labuan port to other ports nationwide that the polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) swab tests is mandatory.

"Since the reopening of the economy, LESC members have been very proactive and ensure precautionary measures to prevent the spread of viruses and to eliminate the risk," said Daniel.

Other than that, LESC also urged the government to include Labuan in Annex 9, to ensure seamless coordination and planning as Malaysia moves to the endemic stage in near future.