Increasing trend in Covid-19 infection in Sarawak
The number of Covid-19 cases recorded recently in Sarawak seems to show an increase in infection, hence the state must carry on its fight to combat the disease, said Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian.
According to the Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, 1,046 cases were reported in Epid Week 47 (Nov 20 to 26 this year), up from 814 cases reported in Epid Week 46 (Nov 13 to 19), 616 cases in Epid Week 45 (Nov 6 to 12) and 459 cases in Epid Week 44 (Oct 30 to Nov 5).
“The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) utilisation rate for Covid19 cases has also shown an increasing trend for the same period, with 8.6 per cent in Epid Week 44, 13.3 per cent in Epid Week 45, 15.2 per cent in Epid Week 46 and 17.9 per cent in Epid Week 47,” he informed in his ministerial winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly yesterday.
Despite the increasing trend, he said that the number of new cases reported and ICU utilisation rate were still much lower as compared to the situation during the first half of the year.
Among the factors that helped to control the spread of Covid-19 infection in Sarawak, he noted, is the high awareness of the importance of public health measures as well as the high acceptance of vaccines among the people of Sarawak.
“As of Nov 26 this year, 2,430,627 people or about 86 per cent of Sarawak’s population have been fully vaccinated with two doses. This comprises 1,904,956 people aged 18 and above, 266,986 people aged 12 to 17 and 258,685 aged between five and 11.
“Sarawak has administered the first booster dose to 1,584,620 people which is 72.96 per cent of 2,171,942 people aged 12 and above who have completed their two primary doses of Covid-19 vaccination.
“As of Nov 26, only 51,372 Sarawakians received the second booster dose, less than two per cent of the eligible population,” he said.
With that, Dr Sim strongly encouraged the people to take the Covid-19 booster dose vaccination, continue to practise personal hygiene and to wear face masks.