KUALA LUMPUR: A new isolated Covid-19 cluster, named Orkim, was detected in Johor, said Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
He said the cluster involves the crew of a ship anchored at the Pasir Gudang Port.
"The index case of the cluster (Case 10,572) was an Indonesian crew, who had sign-on in Singapore on Sept 10.
"The crew member started showing symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, diarrhoea, and vomiting since Sept 13 but did not inform the employer.
"The crew member then signed off on Sept 17 and only received treatment at a private clinic on Sept 22."
Dr Noor Hisham said the crew member was subsequently referred to the Permai Hospital, where he was found positive for Covid-19 on Sept 23 and admitted to the Enche Besar Hajjah Khalsom Hospital.
Screening conducted on other crew members found another positive case involving an Indonesian.
"The second positive case is not symptomatic and was also admitted to the Enche Besar Hajjah Khalsom Hospital (in Kluang, Johor)."
He said a total of 30 crew members on board were screened.
"Of the total, two were positive for Covid-19; 24 individuals were found negative, while another four are still awaiting results."
Dr Noor Hisham said measures to prevent and control further infections such as cleaning and disinfection processes have been carried out onboard, while the cause of the infection is still under investigation.
Meanwhile, on the latest developments of other clusters, Dr Noor Hisham said the Bangau-Bangau cluster recorded 74 new cases today, bringing the total positive cases of the cluster to 134.
"The Benteng LD cluster recorded 13 new cases today, bringing the total to 743; followed by the Laut cluster with two new cases, bringing the total to 24, and the Sungai Cluster with seven new cases, bringing the total to 98."
In the same statement, Dr Noor Hisham also encouraged asymptomatic individuals who returned or came from areas designated as red zones to undergo Covid-19 screening and self-quarantine, to protect their families, friends, and the public.
He said as of today, there are five zones in Malaysia classified as red.
Four are situated in Sabah, namely Tawau, Lahad Datu, Kunak, and Semporna, while one is in Kedah (Kota Setar).
Yesterday, Dr Noor Hisham said that it is mandatory for symptomatic individuals who returned or came from red zone areas to undergo the Covid-19 test.