Cases surpass 1,000, step up SOP enforcement — Masidi
KOTA KINABALU: Covid-19 cases surpassed the 1,000-mark in Sabah on Saturday with 1,205 new infections.
Four deaths were reported in Kota Kinabalu Sandakan, Kota Belud and Tawau.
State Covid-19 spokesman Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said with 43.7 per cent of the total infections from symptomatic cases, the daily number is expected to rise further.
“Daily Covid-19 cases continue to rise unabated and breached the 1,000 level today at 1,205 cases, 296 higher than yesterday.
“Cases have tripled in just three days. With 43.7 per cent sporadic/symptomatic cases, we expect the number to rise further,” he said.
A total of 99.4 per cent of cases on Feb 5 are in Category 1 and 2, three in Category 3, one in Category 4 and three in Category 5.
Masidi called on enforcement agencies to step up operations for non compliance of standard operating procedures (SOPs).
He said that the enforcement agencies must be consistent and persistent in the enforcement of SOPs to combat sudden rise in cases across the state.
“Enforcement agencies need to be more proactive and not just react after complaints are made.
“Unfortunately Malaysians have the habit of being ‘seasonal’ in both,” he said.
When asked if the state would restrict inter-district movement, he said that it would be futile as every district was reporting cases.
“Restriction in inter-district movement would be an exercise in futility. (And) restrictions on inter-district movement would be near catastrophic to our efforts to revive economic activities,” he added.
Masidi said that restrictions on inter-district movement were introduced previously because vaccines were not available and even after vaccination had started Sabah had a low vaccination rate.
“The better way is to continue educating the public the need for self discipline by continuously and consistently observing all SOP and health advice,” he said.
Since the opening of the new school term in January, 16 educational institution clusters have been detected in Sabah.
The state government has ordered all schools and colleges with clusters to temporarily close.