SEMPORNA: The Bajau laut or sea gypsies off Omadal island here have never undergone the nasopharyngeal swab tests, and often go into hiding when health personnel come to do screening.
Jefrey Musa, 27, a community-based teacher for Iskul Sama Dilaut Omadal here said during the incident a few days ago, he had to step in to persuade the villagers to come out to be tested for Covid-19.
When the team arrived at the island, the villagers either hid in their homes or ran into the forest.
"I asked them why they did this and some of said they read all kinds of negative things about the procedures from WhatsApp groups.
"Apart from that, they are also not keen to come out from the island nor be separated from their families (for hospitalisation)," he told the New Straits Times, adding it takes about an hour boat-ride from the town to reach the island.
The teacher from Kuantan, who had taught two years at Kampung Bangau-Bangau and a year at Omadal island here, said that only about 50 of 1,000 local villagers and sea gypsies were willing to be tested.
He said results were out within 15 minutes upon the test being conducted, and some were positive.
Jefrey said there is a need for the authorities to consider having a quarantine centre at the island to better contain the Covid-19 infection.
As for the standard operating procedures to prevent the disease, he added that four other staff and him will educate the people on physical distancing and hand washing among others.
Yesterday, Semporna recorded 969 out of the 5,048 total active cases in the state.