Most Covid clusters in Selangor linked to manufacturing sector, says state health director

The manufacturing sector was the biggest contributor of Covid-19 clusters in Selangor from July 1 to 31, says Selangor Health Department director Dr Sha’ari Ngadiman.

He said the sector recorded 96 clusters or 54% of the overall total during that period, followed by the service sector with 22 clusters (12%) and the construction site sector with 18 clusters (10%).

“There were nine community clusters reported (5%). But all of the clusters were recorded before the Hari Raya Aidiladha celebration on July 20,” he told a press conference on the development of Covid-19 today.

Asked about infections in the manufacturing sector which had triggered community transmissions, Sha’ari said this was irrelevant as the transmissions occurred in workers’ hostels and quarters.

“Checks on factories found that the SOP compliance level is very good. But workers should also abide by the SOPs after work to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission,” he said.

On the situation in Selangor, Sha’ari said 65% of the cases were asymptomatic while between 30% and 35% were symptomatic, with most of them in Category Three.

Category Three refers to cases with pneumonia but which do not require oxygen.

He said close contacts were the biggest contributors to the current situation in Selangor, at 40%, followed by symptomatic cases (22%), workers (20%) and non-workers (14%).

He added that the surge in cases in Selangor before the start of the Hari Raya Aidiladha on July 20 was in line with the increased number of Covid-19 screening tests conducted in the state.

“The increase in screenings was due to the widespread awareness among the people in Selangor to immediately undergo tests, with 85% of the tests conducted at private facilities,” he said.