JOHOR BARU: Several schools and mosques in Taman Sri Pulai Perdana were ordered to close temporarily to prevent the further spread of Covid-19.

       State health and environment committee chairman R. Vidyananthan said the closure was a preventative measure as a new cluster – Pulai Perdana 3 – had been detected at the housing area by the state health authorities.

       The affected schools included SMK Seri Pulai Perdana and SK Seri Pulai Perdana.

       “The Pulai Perdana 3 cluster was identified following targeted testing by the Johor Baru Health Office after some mosque-goers tested positive.

       “As of Monday, there were 47 positive cases among residents and the mosque congregation.

       “Another 164 close contacts have been tested and are awaiting their results for further action,” he said yesterday.

       Vidyananthan said all those who tested positive were instructed to isolate and their close contacts told to self-quarantine.

       He reminded all individuals and close contacts of those who attended prayers at the Taman Sri Pulai Perdana mosque from Dec 26 to Jan 4 to go for a Covid-19 test.

       “Those who keep their close contact history a secret may contribute to the further spread of the disease, so please do not hide the information,” he said.

       He also said Taman Sri Pulai Perdana was not under an enhanced movement control order, as speculated.

       “The state health authorities only took the necessary measures such as instructing public places, like schools and mosques that have the potential of spreading Covid-19, to close temporarily,” he said.

       A viral message on WhatsApp and social media claimed that the Johor Health Department and the National Security Council have placed the housing area under an enhanced MCO from Jan 10 to 20 due to the Covid-19 cases.

       Vidyananthan also said Johor had 25 active clusters as of Monday, comprising 11 clusters in industrial areas, five within the community, four at education institutions, two imported cases, one at a shopping centre, one at a charity home and one at a detention centre.

       A total of 278 cases were reported on the same day, bringing the cumulative number of cases to 248,419.

       There were 238,101 recoveries and 3,878 deaths.

       Currently, there are 6,440 active Covid-19 cases, with the infected in quarantine.