KOTA KINABALU: Students continue to spark new Covid-19 clusters in Sabah, with the latest in the Tenom district.

       A total of 16 hostel students, their classmates and families were found to have Covid-19 following a screening on Nov 13.

       Minister in charge of Covid-19 matters in the state, Datuk Masidi Manjun said the new Mantailang Atas cluster started from a 19-year-old hostel student in SMK Tenom.

       He started showing symptoms on Nov 11 and tested positive on Nov 13.

       "Fifteen others were found to have contracted the virus thereafter," he said when announcing Friday's (Nov 19) 543 new Covid-19 cases in Sabah.

       Meanwhile, a total of 15 deaths – two each in Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran and Beaufort and one each in Kota Belud, Penampang, Kota Marudu, Keningau, Tawau, Sandakan, Kudat, Kuala Penyu and Semporna – were recorded.

       Over 75% of adults and almost 70% of teens have been fully vaccinated as of Friday.

       On Thursday (Nov 18), a total of 22 individuals contributed to a new cluster in Ranau district, involving a case index from the SMK Kemburongoh dormitory.