MIRI – Platoons of soldiers are being deployed in increasing numbers into the rural frontiers of Sarawak to help in the war against the Covid-19 pandemic, which is spreading fast throughout the vast state.
In the interiors of northern Sarawak, soldiers are now inside the Baram district to help with manning roadblocks and other logistics in the face of the virus.
Baram district is made up of the state constituencies of Telang Usan and Mulu.
Telang Usan state assemblyman, Dennis Ngau, told The Vibes today that he had sought the help of the army because of their wealth of personnel and machinery.
“They not only have the manpower, but these soldiers also have trucks and heavy duty equipment to man roadblocks and set up camps even in remote pockets.
“These soldiers are doing a good job,” he said.
Ngau said the main roadblock has been set up near Long Lama town, located about 200km inland from Miri city.
“That road at Long Lama connects Miri to the rest of Baram and all the way into Sabah.
“That is a very central location where we can control the movement of people and vehicles going in and out of Baram.
“There will be other roadblocks to be set up along other tributary routes going into the longhouses,”he said.
Ngau said his constituency has at least 300 populated longhouses.
In central Sarawak, these soldiers are also helping with setting up quarantine and isolation centres in community halls in the Kanowit district.
State Assistant Minister for Housing and Local Government, Dr Annuar Rapaee, said these soldiers are physically helping to construct temporary centres in community halls for housing and treating Covid-19 patients.
“The Health Department and the State Disaster Management Committee are setting up these centres to treat patients with mild and low-level symptoms,” said Dr Annuar who is also state assemblyman of Nangka.
He added the Kanowit Hospital is only a small district hospital but it is already overloaded with about 100 positive cases and the number of new positive patients keep increasing daily since the past week.
Sarawak has seen a surge of Covid-19 infections and fatalities since January 10, with the death toll at 39 as of yesterday. – The Vibes, February 2, 2021
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