600 new cases, one fatality
KUCHING: Sarawak recorded the highest number of Covid19 cases in the country for the second consecutive day with 600 cases and one fatality on Tuesday, said State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
He said Bintulu topped the list with 110 cases followed by Sibu (98), Kuching (83), Meradong (54), Kapit (41), Tatau (38), Mukah (31), Sarikei (25), Miri (24), Song (20), Kanowit (13), Serian (10) and Betong (10).
“Nine districts registered singledigit cases and they are Beluru (7), Selangau (6), Subis (6), Kabong (6), Marudi (5), Samarahan (5), Saratok (4), Pakan (3) and Julau (1).
“The total number of positive cases in the state now stands at 25,126,” he told a press conference.
He said the latest death case, which was recorded in Sarikei, brings the total Covid-19 death tally in the state to 141.
“The deceased was a 74-yearold Sarawakian man who was admitted to Sarikei Hospital after experiencing symptoms of fever for the past few days. He was also given respiratory assistance as he had trouble breathing.
“An RT-PCR test was conducted and he was found positive on April 14. His health condition deteriorated and he passed away on April 19,” he said, adding that the victim had a history of comorbidities namely hypertension, dyslipidemia, anemia, and end-stage renal disease.
On the new cases, Uggah said only 73 individuals out of the 600 new cases had shown signs and symptoms of Covid-19 infection when screenings were conducted.
“There were also 544 cases detected from individuals who were instructed to be quarantined at quarantine centres,” he said.
On the cases’ breakdown, he said 425 cases were from screenings of individuals with contact to positive cases; 116 cases from existing active clusters; 37 cases from screenings of symptomatic individuals at health facilities; and 19 cases from other screening at health facilities.
“The new cases also included two Import B cases involving individuals who had returned from other states in the country and an Import A case involving an individual who had returned from India,” he added.
The Deputy Chief Minister said all cases recorded in Bintulu, Beluru, Subis, Kabong, Samarahan, Marudi, and Julau were traced from screenings of contacts to positive cases.
“In Sibu, 57 of its cases were from screenings of contacts to positive cases; 13 from screenings of symptomatic individuals; nine from Jalan Disa Cluster; seven from Bulatan Aman Cluster; six from Jalan Ding Lim Kwong Cluster; and six from other screenings. “In Kuching, a majority of its cases were detected from screenings of contacts to positive cases (64); eight from screenings of symptomatic individuals; seven from other screenings; two from the Jalan Puncak Borneo Cluster; and one Import A and Import B case,” he said.
He said Meradong recorded 47 cases which were linked to the
Sungai Rian Cluster, three from Sungai Kawi Cluster, three from screenings of contacts to positive cases; and one from screenings of symptomatic individuals while Kapit recorded 37 from screenings of contacts to positive cases, two from screenings of symptomatic individuals and another two from other screenings.
“Tatau’s cases were all detected from screenings of contacts to positive cases with the exception of one case which was linked to the Sungai Selitut Cluster.
“In Mukah, 16 were from the Jalan Bambangan Cluster, 12 from Sungai Duan Cluster, two from screenings of contacts to positive cases and one from screenings of symptomatic individuals,” he said.
He said Sarikei’s cases were mainly from screenings of contacts to positive cases (20), three from screenings of symptomatic individuals, one from the Jalan Baji Cluster and one from other screenings.
“Miri recorded 17 cases from screenings of contacts to positive cases, five from screenings of symptomatic individuals, and two from other screenings while Song registered 18 from screenings of contacts to positive cases, one Import B case and one from other screenings,” he said.
He said Kanowit had recorded 12 cases from screenings of contacts to positive cases and one from screenings of symptomatic individuals whereas Serian had five cases from screenings of contacts to positive cases, four from the Tarat Tani Cluster and one from screenings of symptomatic individuals.