MOH: Subclusters in four religious schools traced to Sri Petaling gathering

CORONAVIRUS | The Health Ministry has found four subclusters of Covid-19 infections at four madrasas (religious schools) following contract tracing activities of index cases from the Sri Petaling religious gathering in late February.

"The Health Ministry had stepped up its detection, screening, testing, isolation and treatment through a targeted approach of high-risk groups. This was done in cooperation with various government agencies and NGOs.

"For example, through the cooperation with the Islamic Development Department of Malaysia (Jakim) and the Sri Petaling tabligh mosque committee, the Health Ministry had identified the latest lists of madrasas and tahfiz for the purpose of tracing contacts of the index cases from the Sri Petaling gathering.

"Following the state and district health departments' proactive action in the field, a number of subclusters have been identified at a number of madrasas and tahfiz," Health Ministry director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah told a press conference in Putrajaya today.

According to the Health Ministry's information, 195 people were infected across four religious schools but 92 have since recovered.

The details of the four subclusters are as follow:

Jerantut, Pahang madrasa subcluster

Screened: 401 (297 students, 104 staff and family members)

Total tested positive: 62 cases (treated at Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan, Kuantan)

Total recovered: 20 cases

Penanti, Penang madrasa subcluster

Screened: 291 (256 students and 35 staff)

Total tested positive: 6 cases (Two in the intensive care unit at Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah, Alor Setar)

Total recovered: 4 cases

Sungai Lui, Selangor madrasa subcluster

Screened: 282 (274 students and 8 staff)

Total tested positive: 90 cases (treated at Sungai Buloh Hospital and National Leprosy Centre)

Total recovered: 67 cases

Jasin, Malacca madrasa subcluster

Screened: 139 (122 students and 15 staff)

Total tested positive: 37 cases (treated at Malacca Hospital)

Total recovered: 1

'Don't blame the patients'

Noor Hisham also urged the public not to blame or discriminate any one group in the Covid-19 pandemic.

Previously, he had also revealed several other clusters including one involving a Church conference, a wedding, a hospital and a returnee from Italy.

"The public is urged to avoid blaming or discriminating any patient or group linked to the Covid-19 cluster. Don't stigmatise them.

"What is important is we assist in tracing and treating the Covid-19 infections amongst them including the family members and contacts," he said.

He also urged the public to cooperate with government agencies in the fight against Covid-19.

"As mentioned, these coming two weeks will be of utmost importance where the cooperation of everyone is needed to break the chain of Covid-19 infections," he said.

As of noon today, Malaysia recorded 4,683 Covid-19 case with 76 deaths.

However, 2,108 have recovered, leaving 2,499 in treatment.

Keep up with the latest information on the outbreak in the country with Malaysiakini's free Covid-19 tracker.

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