Sarawak acquires over 60,000 PPEs from China, slated for frontliners

KUCHING: Sarawak has acquired another batch of 61,200 pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) as it intensifies its efforts in curbing the spread of Covid19.

According to Local Government and Housing Minister Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, the PPEs were imported directly from China.

On the delivery, he said the immediate priority would be to Sibu and Miri – both Red Zones that had recorded spikes in positive Covid-19 cases recently.

The shipment of the PPEs, packed in 1,530 cartons and stored inside three containers, was received on Thursday – with the delivery being arranged by a forwarding company.

“Sarawak government always helps the Health Department Sarawak whenever necessary, despite health matters being under federal government's responsibility.

“In this regard, the lives of our fellow Sarawakians must come first,” said Dr Sim in a statement yesterday.

Sibu and Miri recorded 412 and 175 positive Covid-19 cases, respectively, in the last 14 days – as at Thursday.

On Thursday alone, Sibu reported 150 new cases, which prompted Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) to impose the Movement Control Order (MCO) on the division – in force from today until Jan 29.

Based on the list of distribution obtained, Sibu would receive 17,120 PPEs, while Miri would get 15,920 PPEs.

The other deliveries would be 6,480 PPEs to Sarawak General Hospital (SGH), Sarawak pharmacy logistics branch with 10,680 PPEs, Kapit with 1,240 PPEs, Limbang with 5,120 PPEs, Sarikei with 1,880 PPEs, and Sri Aman with 2,760 PPEs.