LENGGONG: Inter-state and inter-district travel to celebrate Hari Raya Aidiladha contributed to an increase in Covid-19 cases in Perak, Menteri Besar Datuk Saarani Mohamad said.
Saarani said he didn't deny the fact there were people who returned to their hometowns during Hari Raya Aidiladha which fell on July 20.
"Hari Raya Aidiladha is celebrated for 14 days and today is the 12th day. So it is possible that we have Korban (Hari Raya Aidiladha) Clusters because there were so many who returned to their hometowns for slaughtering of cattle events.
"People gathered for the event (slaughtering of cattle) and within 14 days, it could happen," he told reporters after handing over food baskets to inland fishermen at Pusat Pekasam Negara here, today.
Perak recorded 810 cases yesterday compared to 596 cases on Thursday. There are also 21 active clusters reported here.
Saarani added that the increase in number of Covid-19 cases was also due to the mass screening at Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) areas.
"The state government has agreed to use RTK-Antigen Tests (RTK-Ag) during mass screening at all Covid-19 hotspot areas (EMCO areas). We will send teams there to do the screening.
"There are a lot of people during the screening and as such, more Covid-19 cases will be detected among them. That's not a problem for me, in fact, that's better (mass screening) rather than we hide it," he said.