Malaysia

Alarm in S’wak as 23 Covid-19 patients ‘missing’

Names of uncontactable infected individuals may be published to safeguard public

Updated 5 years ago · Published on 20 Jan 2021 3:37PM

Alarm in S’wak as 23 Covid-19 patients ‘missing’
Following public screenings in Sibu town, 23 Covid-19 positive individuals have not been contactable, and Sarawak authorities may resort to releasing their names in the interest of public safety. – Bernama pic, January 20, 2021

by Stephen Then

MIRI – The authorities are on the lookout for 23 individuals who have tested positive for Covid-19 following public screenings in Sibu town.

Sarawak Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Sim Kui Hian who revealed these shocking details said the individuals’ whereabouts have yet to be ascertained despite frantic efforts by the authorities to track them down.

“These 23 people were found to be positive with Covid-19 following a public screening in Sibu town over the past few days, but they are not contactable,” he said in a Facebook update.

“We may be forced to publish their names in the interest of the public.

“Though we have so far protected the identities of those found positive with Covid-19, we may have to reveal (these 23 people’s) identities in the interest of their families, friends and the public,” he said.

Sim said there may be even more people in the state with the coronavirus who are moving around freely.

“There may be many infected persons who are symptomatic or asymptomatic in the community,” he warned.

Sim also said that besides Sibu, the Miri district may soon end up under movement control order. – The Vibes, January 20, 2021

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