Sarawak well prepared in stopping Covid-19 – DCM
KUCHING: Sarawak has adequate manpower and facilities in the fight to prevent the Covid-19 coronavirus from spreading to the state, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah.
Uggah, who chairs the State Disaster Management Committee, said preparations have been made in terms of facilities, strategies, logistics, doctors, nurses and other health workers.
“We have enough manpower and we now are focused on developing excellent team spirit in them,” he said after attending a medical preparedness and logistics briefing here yesterday.
The briefing was delivered by doctors and senior representatives from the state Health Department, Sarawak General Hospital (SGH), Institute of Health and Community Medicine of University Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), and the State Security and Enforcement Unit.
Uggah disclosed that the state Health Department would be making available addition thermal scanners at Kuching International Airport as well as airports in Sibu, Bintulu and Miri, and at the Sungai Tujoh Immigration, Customs and Quarantine (ICQ) border post.
He also said more doctors and medical personnel, including those from other units and disciplines, are being trained to handle any situation.
Those present at the closed door briefing included Local Government and Housing Minister Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Deputy State Secretary Datu Ik Pahon Joyik and State Security and Enforcement Unit director Datuk Dr Chai Khin Chung.
Uggah said the planned Covid19 quarantine centre at the Public Health College in Kota Sentosa is being readied and will be able to accommodate up to 90 patients.
On the delay in test results for suspected Covid-19 cases, he said Unimas is ready to work with the state Health Department on the matter.
“Plans are also being made to send more Health Declaration Forms (HDF) for distribution at checking points on the Brunei side to ease the long queue at the Sungai Tujoh ICQ,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sarawak yesterday recorded four new Patient Under Investigation (PUI) cases for Covid-19, a statement issued by the committee said, bringing the number of such cases recorded in the state to 80 since Jan 10.
It said two of the cases were reported in Miri Hospital and one each in Sibu Hospital and Sarawak General Hospital here.
Of the 80 cases, 59 involve Malaysians, 18 China nationals, one Thai, one Indonesian and one Canadian.
Sixty-four cases had tested negative while the remaining 16 are awaiting laboratory test results, the committee said.
“The 16 pending cases involve 13 Malaysians (seven at Sarawak General Hospital, five in Miri Hospital and one at Sibu Hospital) and three Chinese nationals (two at Sarawak General Hospital and one at Miri Hospital),” it said.