TAWAU: Sabah has confirmed its first Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19) case after a 58-year-old man being monitored for the symptoms at Tawau Hospital tested positive for the disease today.

The patient had travelled to Masjid Jamek Seri Petaling in Selangor for a religious meeting from March 3 to 5 and developed a fever and cough afterwards.

He was admitted to the Tawau Hospital on March 10 for monitoring and test.

District Health Department head Dr. G Navindran confirmed the case when asked by reporters today.

Meanwhile, a few mini markets and supermarkets here experienced buying sprees since Wednesday night as people scrambled for foodstuffs such as rice, eggs, dry foods, canned foods and instant noodles.

Meanwhile, Tawau Hospital has set up a 24-hour ‘Fever Center’ in front of the Forensic Department to curb the virus. Those with symptoms such as cough, fever and respiratory problem are advised to go to the center.

The hospital is also out of limits to outsiders and those visiting family members being treated are not allowed to visit for the time being.

Following the confirmed case, the Philippines Embassy in Kuala Lumpur informed all concerned applicants that the Consular Mission at Asrama Complex Tawau, scheduled on March 14 to 18, 2020, is postponed.