Unwanted milestone in pandemic

Sarawak’s cumulative Covid-19 tally breaches 20,000-mark after 443 new cases detected, death toll unchanged

KUCHING: Sarawak’s cumulative Covid-19 cases breached the 20,000-mark yesterday a er it recorded 443 new infections, said State Disaster Management Commi ee (SDMC) chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.

He said no additional Covid-19 deaths were recorded, leaving the cumulative death toll unchanged at 124.

Bintulu topped the list of daily infections with 89 cases followed by Sibu (83), Miri (61), Julau (43), Kapit (32), Mukah (31), Kuching (26), and Sarikei (22).

“There were also 15 districts which recorded single-digit cases namely Matu (7), Samarahan (7), Meradong (7), Subis (6), Serian (6), Kabong (5), Beluru (3), Belaga (3), Betong (3), Bukit Mabong (3), Kanowit (2), Saratok (1), Tanjung Manis (1), Tatau (1) and Sebauh (1).

“The total number of positive cases in the state has now increased to 20,001,” he told a

The total number of positive cases in the state has now increased to 20,001. Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas

press conference.

The Deputy Chief Minister said only 40 individuals out of the 443 new cases had shown signs and symptoms of Covid-19 infection when screenings were conducted.

“There were also 351 cases detected from individuals who were instructed to be quarantined at quarantine centres,” he said.

On the case breakdown, he said 248 cases were from screenings of individuals with contact to positive cases; 101 cases from existing active clusters; 73 cases from other screening at health facilities; and 19 cases from symptomatic individual screenings at health facilities.

KUCHING: The mandatory quarantine for all travellers to Sarawak would only be lifted once the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) sees fit to do so, says its chairman Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.

He said the state would continue to impose quarantine for travellers in view that the majority of Sarawak’s Covid-19 cases had been import cases.

“One such example is the Pasai Cluster in Sibu, which has resulted in more than 3,000 cases so far. Even until today, we still detect positive cases from import cases such as today’s (yesterday’s) Import A and Import B cases.

“If we don’t quarantine travellers who enter Sarawak, those who are Covid-19 positive would be able to walk freely among the community and then spread the virus to others.

“If we don’t control the spread of disease, the condition could become worse,” he told a press conference here.

Uggah was responding to a question on whether the state would consider lifting or reducing the number of days for mandatory quarantine in view of cases involving families who had been separated for a long time due to the pandemic.

Uggah said the state sympathised with those who had been affected, but urged the people to try and understand the situation.

“We are not trying to create problems, but this standard operating procedure (SOP) is necessary to protect Sarawakians. It is not to discriminate and to stop families from meeting each other.

“That is why there are certain procedures that have to be followed because what we are all facing now is the new norm during this very difficult time.”

Nevertheless, Uggah gave his assurance that the mandatory quarantine would be lifted once the situation would permit it.

“There will be at time when we feel that it is no longer necessary for those entering Sarawak to undergo the mandatory quarantine. But this all depends on the Covid-19 situation within Sarawak as well as the country,” he said.

Also present were Local Government and Housing Minister Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian and state Health director Dr Chin Zin Hing.

SDMC recently updated its ‘Covid-19 Guidelines to Enter Sarawak’ – requiring all nonSarawakians and non-Malaysians who have been in the country for more than 15 days to request approval to enter Sarawak via Peninsular Malaysia by filling in the EnterSarawak and E-Health Declaration Form.

They are also required to undergo a 14-day quarantine at designated quarantine centres where swab tests will be taken on the second and 10th day of quarantine.

Their applications may also be rejected if the documentation is incomplete, or if they cannot provide a strong reason for travel.