KOTA KINABALU: Sabah recorded two new clusters categorised as workplace and community transmissions in Beaufort.
The clusters were dubbed the Kampung Bawan and Kampung Batu 66 clusters.
Sabah Covid-10 spokesman Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said the Kampung Bawan cluster was linked to a feast held at the house of the index case, who is a health official in Kampung Bawan, a week before he was detected positive.
"The 31-year-old man was confirmed positive through rapid test kit antigen (RTK-Ag) on Oct 7, at the Membakut Health Clinic, after having fever and cough since Oct 4.
"To date, this cluster recorded 34 positive cases, and a majority of positive cases involved family members and colleagues," he said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Masidi said the Kampung Batu 66 cluster involved community transmissions and has so far recorded 29 positive cases.
"The index case was a 36-year-old local woman who was confirmed positive through a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test on Oct 8 at Beaufort Hospital after having symptoms since Oct 6.
"Based on investigations, the infection was believed to have originated from a gathering in Kampung Batu 66, which was held to mark the 40th day since the death of the woman's father.
"The memorial gathering was attended by the woman's family and nearest neighbours.
"In addition, the funeral ceremony on Oct 11 was also believed to have contributed to the increase in the number of Covid-19 positive cases among the community," he said.
After falling to a low 426 cases yesterday, the number of new infections in the Sabah shot up to 651 today.
However, Masidi said the two new clusters did not influence the increase in cases recorded today.
"The factor influencing the increase in cases today was the big number of districts that have recorded an increase in cases.
"Today, 22 districts recorded an increase in cases and five districts saw a decrease," he said.
Masidi said of the 651 cases, 361 were from close contacts, 228 from symptomatic screenings, 58 are from other categories, and only four from clusters.
He added that out of the total figure, 411 cases were associated with those who had received their first dose of the vaccine, or had completed their second dose of the vaccine.
Another 110 cases involved unvaccinated people, while 130 cases involved those who were not eligible for the vaccine.
Sabah also registered 16 fatalities – six in Tawau, two in Lahad Datu and one each in Semporna, Ranau, Kota Marudu, Kota Kinabalu, Keningau, Beluran, Tuaran and Tenom.