KOTA KINABALU: A birthday party in Ranau is believed to have contributed to the emergence of a new cluster at Kg Kimolohing in the district.

       The case index was a man who celebrated his birthday on a day between Oct 12 and 14.

       The man had then gone to his relative’s birthday party on Oct 16, and started to have Covid-19 symptoms on Oct 17.

       Minister in charge of Covid-19 matters in Sabah, Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said this had resulted in another 48 people being tested positive for the virus.

       “From the total of these new cases, close contacts contribute over 50%, so this means that there is a lack of adherence to SOPs,” he said in announcing 565 new Covid-19 cases and 16 deaths in the state on Tuesday (Oct 26).

       Masidi reminded the public to continue observing the standard operating procedures (SOP) and to maintain preventive measures as the country continues to fight against this virus.

       He said the relaxation and reopening of more economic sectors could see a rise in sporadic cases if the public does not remain vigilant.

       On the vaccination rate in Sabah, he said over 73% of adults are fully inoculated while more than 58% teens have received full doses of their vaccines to date.