Two more deaths in Sibu, 219 new cases

KUCHING: Sarawak recorded two more deaths from Covid19 in Sibu along with 219 new cases throughout the state, said the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC).

SDMC in a statement yesterday said with the latest two fatalities, the number of deaths from Covid-19 in Sibu had increased to 44 which is more than half of the state’s death toll at 78.

As for the new positive cases, Sibu recorded the highest with 80 followed by Kapit (26), Bintulu (25), Kuching (18), Meradong (17), Miri (12), Samarahan (11), Serian (10), Selangau (8), Sri Aman (5), Saratok (3), Kanowit (1), Sarikei (1), Bukit Mabong (1) and Betong (1).

According to SDMC, the 77th death is of a 74-year-old local woman who was admitted into the Sibu Hospital after experiencing symptoms such as fever, coughing and breathing difficulties.

The woman’s sample underwent rt-PCR test on Feb 18 and her result returned positive for Covid-19 the next day. Her health continued to deteriorate and she died on Feb 24.

“The woman had a history of comorbidity such as high blood pressure and diabetes,” the committee added.

The 78th death is of a 90-yearold local man who was admitted to the Sibu Hospital after a close contact screening revealed he was positive for Covid-19. His health continued to deteriorate and he died on Feb 25.

SDMC said the case had a history of comorbidity such as high blood pressure, gout, acute hepatitis, and a history of stroke which required physical assistance.

Meanwhile, the committee in its cases per district breakdown figures showed that Sibu’s 80 new cases were mostly from active case detection (ACD) with 63 cases, 12 from voluntary screenings, three involving healthcare workers and two involving patients with symptoms who sought treatment at health institutions.

Kapit which recorded 26 new cases was largely due to the 18 new cases recorded from the Gelong Cluster. At the same time, five cases were from ACD, two from voluntary screenings and one patient with symptoms.

In Bintulu, out of the 25 new cases, 23 were from ACD while two were symptomatic patients.

Kuching district recorded 18 cases, where 14 were from ACD, two from the Emperoh Jambu Cluster and two involving healthcare workers.

In Meradong, out of its 17 new cases, 13 involved the Sungai Bakong Cluster while four were from ACD.

Miri district recorded 12 cases where five were from voluntary screenings, three from ACD, two involving patients with symptoms, one Import B involving a local who just returned from Perak, and one Import A involving an Indian national who just arrived from India.

In Samarahan district, out of 11 new cases, eight were from the Emperoh Jambu Cluster, two from ACD and one involving the

Green Road Cluster.

The Serian District recorded 10 new cases where six were from the Emperoh Jambu Cluster, two Jalan Ho Pin Cluster, and one symptomatic patient who sought treatment at a health facility in the district.

Selangau district recorded eight new cases all from ACD, while Sri Aman District five where three were from voluntary screenings and two involving the Jalan Muhibbah Cluster.

Saratok District recorded three new cases all from ACD, Betong one from Jalan Muhibbah Cluster, Bukit Mabong one from Gelong Cluster, Sarikei one from ACD, and Kanowit one from ACD.

All in all, 2,275 active cases were being treated in hospitals in Sarawak as of yesterday, where 1,087 were in Sibu Hospital, Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) (346), Bintulu Hospital (265), Miri Hospital (203), Kapit Covid19 Quarantine and Low-Risk Treatment Centre (PKRC) (176), Sarikei Hospital (173) and Sri Aman PKRC (25).