KUCHING: The Sentosa Hospital here has halted admission of patients with immediate effect following a Covid-19 outbreak at its premises.

       Sarawak health director Datuk Dr Mohamed Sapian Mohamed said this was among steps taken to control and curb the spread of the disease after the Sentosa 2 cluster was declared on Wednesday (July 14).

       He said the cluster was first detected on Monday (July 12) when a healthcare worker at the hospital tested positive.

       "Subsequently, screening and contact tracing were carried out. As of 6pm on July 14, 56 positive cases have been detected.

       "They involve 24 healthcare workers, 28 patients, one concession company worker and three household contacts," he said in a statement on Thursday (July 15).

       Dr Mohamed Sapian said close contacts at the workplace and at home as well as social contacts had been identified for swab tests.

       He said outpatient services were being carried out through tele-consultation while medication was dispensed via drive-through.

       "Electroconvulsive therapy services were halted on July 12. Outpatients who require this service will be referred to the Sarawak General Hospital," he said.