KUCHING: Sarawak's new Covid-19 cases jumped to 644 on Thursday (July 22) after dropping below 400 for the last five days.

       The state disaster management committee said the spike in cases was due to targeted screening at four locations, including two prisons.

       It said 145 cases were detected at Kampung Seratau in Kuching and 126 cases at Rumah Kambieng longhouse in Saratok. Both localities had been placed under the enhanced movement control order.

       "The targeted screening also yielded 120 cases at the Miri central prison and 25 cases at the Sri Aman central prison," the committee said in a statement.

       Kuching had the most cases with 258, followed by Saratok (131) and Miri (126).

       Another 20 districts recorded between one and 27 cases each, taking the state's cumulative tally to 72,857.

       The committee also said two new community clusters were identified at two longhouses in Saratok.

       The Ulu Senulau cluster has 33 cases to date from 57 individuals screened while six are awaiting results.

       The Abu Bengang cluster currently has 131 cases, including 126 reported today, out of 193 individuals screened. Another 46 tested negative while 16 are awaiting results.