The Malaysian Insight

THE Health Ministry has assured that the Covid-19 situation in Sabah is under control as the state prepares to go to the polls on Saturday.

Sabah has logged 625 confirmed cases of coronavirus from seven clusters.

Despite the high number of infections in the state, director-general of health Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the situation was under control based on an assessment on the ground.

“We think we are able to mitigate the whole situation. More importantly the public and the frontliners must comply with our standard operating procedures,” Noor Hisham said.

He was responding to a question on whether the Sabah elections should be postponed in view of the recent spike in virus infections.

Sabah accounted for 60 of the 82 new infections reported today. New clusters have also sprouted in the state with Bangau-Bangau in Semporna being the latest.

The ministry has stepped up case detection at virus hotspots Lahad Datu and Tawau, as well as Semporna and Kunak where new clusters have been found.

He said there would be designated counters for people under quarantine to vote. Two health officers will be stationed at those counters.

“We allow time off for those under quarantine to go out to vote and they will be monitored,” he said.

Those who have tested positive for Covid-19 patients will not be allowed to vote.

Noor Hisham said it is mandatory for those returning from Sabah and are symptomatic to get tested for Covid-19.

He encouraged those who are asymptomatic to also get tested after returning from the state after the polls.

More than one million voters are expected to cast their votes in 73 districts in the state elections. – September 22, 2020.