Sabahans told to stay calm following state's first Covid-19 case
CORONAVIRUS | Sabahans have been told to stay calm after the state recorded its first Covid-19 case in Tawau yesterday.
State Deputy Chief Minister Christina Liew called on the community in Tawau not to start panic buying essential items as the situation is under control.
CORONAVIRUS | Sabahans have been told to stay calm after the state recorded its first Covid-19 case in Tawau yesterday.
State Deputy Chief Minister Christina Liew called on the community in Tawau not to start panic buying essential items as the situation is under control.
The Sabah Health Department has carried out preventive measures, including a 24-hour "Fever Centre" activated at Tawau Hospital, Liew was quoted as saying by Bernama.
Previously, the media reported panic buying occurring in Penang where hypermarkets ran out of essential items including toilet paper following the first Covid-19 case in the state.
It was reported that three people have been tested positive after returning from a religious gathering at Seri Petaling Mosque, Kuala Lumpur from Feb 28 to March 1, including the case in Tawau.
The other two cases of affected attendees from that event were reported in Pahang and Brunei.
As of yesterday, a total of 158 people were tested positive for coronavirus.
Liew also said the authorities were currently tracing individuals who had attended the religious gathering at the mosque.
“About 350 people from Tawau participated in the gathering and most of them have undergone screening tests,” she said in a statement.
It was done after one of the participants was tested positive for the virus and was currently put under surveillance at Tawau Hospital, added Liew.
She also reminded Tawau people not to spread fake information on social media that could cause panic.
She also urged the public to take precaution by wearing face masks, reducing outdoor activities and washing hands with water and soap.
Meanwhile, State Health and People’s Wellbeing Minister Frankie Poon urged those who returned from the religious gathering to get themselves tested for the virus immediately.
"We are on high alert now. We are looking for the people who went for the gathering,” he was quoted as saying by Free Malaysia Today.
He said a total of 143 people had been screened for the virus in Sabah since last year, with all testing negative except for the latest case of the man in Tawau.
“Don’t panic. Just adopt the personal hygiene advice that the health authorities have constantly been reminding people - wash your hands with soap frequently, wear masks and avoid crowded places," said Poon.
Keep up with the latest information on the outbreak in the country with Malaysiakini's free Covid-19 tracker.
