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TAWAU: The widow of the Tabligh member who became Sabah’s first Covid-19 fatal case on Friday, said he had shown symptoms even while in Kuala Lumpur soon after attending the mammoth religious gathering at the Sri Petaling Mosque.

It called into question the effectiveness of the thermal screenings being done at both the KL and KK international airports.

There have been public complaints that there are hardly any such screenings at Sabah’s airports.

She told Daily Express in an exclusive that her husband, Hj Mohd Bartok, started developing fever on March 4, before his flight back to Sabah on March 5. The Tabligh event that was attended by 14,000 people from throughout Malaysia and abroad took place from Feb. 28 until March 2.

“When Hj Mohd arrived in Tawau, he was already sick and didn’t get to see too many people, fortunately. He met only several Tabligh friends.

“We buried his remains last night [Friday night],” said the distraught woman.

Daily Express was the first to break the news of the 58-year-old’s passing after the widow posted a message announcing it in a Tawau Muslim women’s WhatsApp group. It was the nation’s third Covid-19 death. One of the first two deaths had also attended the Tabligh event. The other was a pastor in Sarawak for yet unknown reasons.

The widow asked members to pray for his soul before consoling words came pouring from the other members of the group.

The Crisis Preparedness And Response Centre said case #152 (Hj Mohd) was admitted to Tawau Hospital on March 9 for severe acute respiratory infection symptoms.

“He was given breathing assistance and placed in an intensive care unit on the same day,” said the centre.

“However, his condition worsened day by day until he breathed his last at 6.27pm on Friday.” The widow, who asked not to be named, said the last missionary trip that she and her late husband made with several other couples was from June to August last year to the USA.

“That will be among my many memories of him. I hope Allah will accept our efforts in the USA as a means of hidayat [guidance] for all of mankind,” she said between sobs.

She advised all tabligh members in Malaysia to persevere as the outbreak, which inflicted hundreds of Tabligh members who attended the mosque gathering, was a test from Allah.

“This test from Allah is to elevate the ranks of those who persevere,” she said.

“The mission of all prophets was never easy, and so it is now. Keep calm, do more acts of worship and kindness among your family members at home during these trying times.”