SIBU: No active case detection (ACD) will be carried out on prisoners at the Sibu Central Prison despite detection of Jalan Awang Cluster as declared by Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) last Sunday.
This is because the Jalan Awang Cluster involves only the new inmates and they have not had any contact with the permanent inmates, said SDMC Sibu division coordinator Dr Annuar Rapaee.
“Hence, SDMC Sibu division has decided against conducting ACD on the permanent inmates,” Dr Annuar, who is also the assistant Local government and housing minister, told reporters when met after inspecting the Sibu Central Prison here on Monday.
According to Dr Annuar, a total of 42 new inmates, including a woman were tested for Covid-19.
“They were in the process of undergoing Covid-19 swab test before being placed as permanent inmates at the prison,” he added.
They were confirmed to have been infected after their second swab test. They were earlier tested negative during the first test.
Dr Annuar said they would be temporarily placed at the police lock-up.
On a separate development, the Sibu Central Prison director Hamad Seman said the prison currently had 500 inmates.
