76 in Benteng LD cluster in quarantine after testing negative for Covid-19

Police personnel at the Lahad Datu district police headquarters (IPD) and their family members have been tested for Covid-19, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said yesterday following the detection of a new cluster after the screening of new detainees at the lock-up there.

He said 76 people were tested, namely four police officers, 30 personnel and 42 family members, all of whom were found negative and are currently undergoing home quarantine.

“The Lahad Datu IPD is operating as usual and has been disinfected,” he told Bernama.

However, he said the IPD would not be receiving new detainees for now. Instead, they will be sent to the lock-up of the nearest police station.

Meanwhile, Sabah police commissioner Hazani Ghazali said eight detainees had tested positive for Covid-19 so far.

“Five of them are now detained at the Lahad Datu IPD lock-up and the other three at Tawau prison,” he said.

Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah had said a new cluster known as the Benteng LD cluster was discovered following the screening of new detainees at the IPD lock-up.