512 new cases, one death

KUCHING: Sarawak yesterday recorded 512 new Covid-19 cases – the second highest in the country – along with one death.

Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the latest figures brought the state’s cumulative number of infections to 23,432 and fatalities to 136.

Bintulu topped the list with 149 cases, followed by Selangau (105), Sibu (95), Kuching (37), Miri (22), Mukah (17), Samarahan (15), Song (12), Kapit (12), Serian (9), Matu (9), Asajaya (6), Betong (5), Tatau (5), Bukit Mabong (3), Meradong (2), Kanowit (2), Saratok (2), Subis (1), Beluru (1), Kabong (1), Belaga (1) and Marudi (1).

On the latest death, he said it involved a 67-year-old woman who had sought treatment at Miri Hospital for lethargy and lack of appetite over the past week.

“An rt-PCR test was taken and she was found positive on April 13. Her condition deteriorated and she passed away on the same day,” the deputy chief minister told a press conference on the latest Covid-19 situation in the state.

Of the new cases, Uggah said 34 individuals out of the 512 new cases had shown signs and symptoms of Covid-19 infection when screenings were conducted.

There were also 421 cases detected from individuals who were instructed to be quarantined at quarantine centres, he added.

On the breakdown of cases, he said 254 cases were from screenings of individuals with contact to positive cases; 167 cases from existing active clusters; 66 cases from other screening at health facilities, and 25 cases from individuals with symptoms screenings at health facilities.

Meanwhile, Uggah said 410 Covid-19 patients recovered yesterday, comprising 132 at Sarawak General Hospital; lowrisk quarantine and treatment centre (PKRC) under Bintulu Hospital (63), Sarikei Hospital (59), PKRC under Sibu Hospital (55), PKRC under Miri Hospital (39), PKRC Mukah (32), PKRC under Kapit Hospital (18), Sri Aman Hospital (4), Limbang Hospital (3), PKRC Sri Aman Prison (3), PKRC Serian (1) and PKRC Betong (1).

“The total number of recoveries in the state has now increased to 18,077 or 77.15 per cent out of the overall cases,” he said.

He also said 5,151 active cases remain in hospitals and PKRCs throughout the state.