S’wak cases drop to 429, four more deaths

KUCHING: Sarawak saw a drop in its new Covid-19 cases yesterday with 429 infections recorded compared to yesterday’s 600, said the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC).

However, it said there were also four deaths where one is from Kanowit and three from Sibu, bringing the state’s total Covid-19 death tally in the state to 145.

“Meradong recorded the highest number of cases with 82 followed by Sibu (62), Bintulu (58), Kuching (54), Bukit Mabong (36), Miri (23), Kapit (21), Song (17), Mukah (11), Sarikei (11), Julau (7), Samarahan (6), Kanowit (5), Subis (5), Selangau (5), Limbang (5), Marudi (4), Matu (4), Pakan (4), and Sri Aman (2).

“Seven districts recorded only one case and they are Pusa, Serian, Dalat, Saratok, Beluru, Belaga and Bau,” it said in a statement.

Sarawak’s total active cases has now increased to 25,558 cases.

On the fatalities, the committee said the 142nd case involved a 72year-old Sarawakian man who sought treatment at Kanowit Hospital after he had trouble breathing.

“He was referred to Sibu Hospital for further treatment. His health condition started to deteriorate and he passed away on April 19.

“He also had a history of comorbidity namely hypertension,” it said, adding that the victim’s Covid-19 screening using the rTPCR test was found positive on April 20.

It said the 143rd death case involved a 73-year-old Sarawakian man who sought emergency treatment at Sibu Hospital after he had difficulty breathing.

“He also had symptoms of cough, fever, loss of taste and smell a few days prior.

“He was screened for Covid-19 using the Rapid Test Kit Antigen and rT-PCR test which returned positive on April 9.

“His health condition deteriorated and he died on April 19. The victim had a history of comorbidities namely chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart disease,” it said.

A 61-year-old Sarawakian man was the state’s 144th Covid-19 fatality, said the committee.

“The victim received treatment at Sibu Hospital as he was the close contact to a Covid-19 positive case among family members.

“This case was categorised as a high-risk patient due to his comorbidities that included diabetes, dyslipidemia and endstage renal disease,” it said.

It also said that the victim was asymptomatic prior to his hospitalisation.

“However, his rT-PCR test was found positive on March 19. He passed away on April 20 after his health condition deteriorated,” it added.

It said the 145th fatality fell to an 82-year-old Sarawakian man who was also admitted to Sibu Hospital due to his close contact with a positive case among family members.

“The victim, who was also asymptomatic prior to hospitalisation, was found positive through the rT-PCR test on March 30.

“His health condition deteriorated and he died on April 20,” it said, noting that the victim had a history of comorbidities namely hypertension, gout and required assistance in his daily activities.

It added that this case is also linked to the Tanjung Genting Cluster.

On the new cases, SDMC said only 64 individuals out of the 429 cases had shown signs and symptoms of Covid-19 infection when screenings were conducted.

“There were also 374 cases detected from individuals who were instructed to be quarantined at quarantine centres,” it said.

A breakdown of the cases registered yesterday found that 276 cases were from screenings of individuals with contact to positive cases; 96 cases from existing active clusters; 29 cases from other screening at health facilities; 26 cases from screenings of symptomatic individuals at health facilities; and two Import B cases involving individuals who had returned from other states in the country.

The sole case in Saratok and Serian were linked to the Disso Cluster and Duranda Emas Cluster respectively while Dalat had one case detected from other screenings.

All cases recorded in Bukit Mabong, Kapit, Song, Sri Aman, Beluru, Bau and Pusa were traced from screenings of contacts to positive cases.

Meanwhile, SDMC said 414 had recovered today of which 158 were discharged from Sibu Hospital and the quarantine and low-risk patients treatment centre (PKRC) under the hospital; 68 from Bintulu Hospital; 58 from Miri Hospital; 49 from Sarawak General Hospital (SGH); 35 from Kapit Hospital and PKRC under Kapit Hospital; 20 from Sarikei Hospital and PKRC under Sarikei Hospital; 12 from PKRC Betong; six from PKRC Mukah; three from Sri Aman Hospital; three from PKRC Serian; one from Limbang Hospital and one from PKRC Sri Aman Prison.

“The total number of recoveries in the state have now increased to 19,641 or 76.85 per cent out of the overall cases,” it said.

It also said that 5,706 patients were still being isolated and treated at hospitals and PKRCs throughout the state, where 1418 were being treated at Bintulu Hospital; 1,091 at Sibu Hospital and PKRC Sibu; 960 at SGH; 723 at Miri Hospital; 437 at Sarikei Hospital; 404 at Kapit Hospital and PKRC Kapit; 362 at PKRC Mukah; 115 at PKRC Serian; 70 at Sri Aman Prison PKRC; 63 at PKRC Betong; 47 at Sri Aman Hospital; 11 at Limbang Hospital and five at Semuja Immigration Depo PKRC in Serian.

A total of 428 new person under investigation (PUI) cases were also reported with none pending lab test result.