LABUAN: Labuan is a red zone again after 159 new Covid-19 cases and two active clusters were detected in the duty-free island.

       Labuan Health Department director Dr Ismuni Bohari said the two active clusters are Jalan Jati cluster, involving a bistro and the Bukit Kuda cluster involving the local community.

       "The Jalan Jati cluster was triggered by a group of patrons at an eatery. It was formerly an entertainment outlet turned into a bistro.

       "This cluster first emerged on Nov 21 and this cluster is spreading fast and causing more infections," he said to Bernama Friday (Nov 26).

       Dr Ismuni said children, aged one to nine years old, were among those infected in this cluster.

       "At least 18 cases have already been confirmed through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. We have also analysed the infectivity rate in this cluster, which is high," he said.

       He said the Bukit Kuda Cluster was detected on Nov 19 after a family held an engagement ceremony.

       "This cluster is still active with an increasing number of positive cases," he said.

       Dr Ismuni said that sub-zone one recorded 10 positive cases, zone 2 (22), zone three (19), zone four (32) and sub-zone five with 29 cases.

       He said two patients (one of them a child) are in categories four and five. Both are currently being treated in the intensive care unit (ICU) with respiratory assistance.

       "Labuan is facing a fluctuating trend of new cases, contributed mostly by travellers and social gatherings," he said. – Bernama