KOTA KINABALU: Sabah recorded 712 new Covid-19 cases today, the highest since entering the second phase of the National Recovery Plan (NRP).
Sabah Covid-19 spokesperson Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said more than half of the new infections, or 383 cases (53.8 per cent) were from close contact screenings.
"It's an indication that many have become carriers of the coronavirus and may continue infecting others," he said in his daily statement.
He added this spike also showed that many were still not observing the standard operating procedures (SOP) properly.
"There is a possibility that some community members are complacent in complying with the movement restriction such as staying at home unless necessary, due to the perception that we are in a recovery phase.
"However, the community must continue following all SOPs and only move about when absolutely necessary," he said adding that the trend of Covid-19 cases is highly dependent on the people's SOP compliance.
Masidi said that 34 compounds have been issued across the state for various Covid-19 SOP violations, while Sabah recorded an overall SOP compliance rate of 95.5 per cent.
He said all 27 districts recorded new daily infections, with the state capital contributing the highest number again at 161 cases, followed by Sandakan (98) and Beaufort (72).
Eight fatalities were reported today - three in Sandakan and one each in Kota Kinabalu, Penampang, Kudat, Tawau and Beluran.
Two new clusters - the Jalan Mat Salleh cluster here and the Nosoob Baru cluster in the Penampang district - were also reported today.
Masidi said the Nosoob Baru cluster stemmed from a funeral ceremony in Kg Nosoob Baru on July 10, involving a family from Kg Nosoob Baru, Kg Pogunon and Kg Terawi.
The index case was a woman aged 28 who was confirmed positive on July 13. The cluster has recorded 17 cases so far.
As for the Jalan Mat Salleh cluster, it was categorised as a workplace cluster at the Federal House building in Jalan Mat Saleh, Sembulan.
"The index case was a male pharmacist aged 26. He was having symptoms since July 14 and was confirmed positive on July 15 by the Luyang Health clinic.
"To date, 258 samples have been taken in the Kota Kinabalu district with 18 positive cases detected. Meanwhile, 54 samples were negative and 186 samples are awaiting screening test results.
"Another 24 cases were registered outside the state capital involving three cases in Putatan, three cases in Ranau, nine cases in Papar and another nine cases in Penampang thus bringing a cumulative number of 42 cases," he said.
Meanwhile, 366 Covid-19 patients were discharged from hospitals today, taking the cumulative recoveries to 73,060.
