MIRI – A group of longhouse residents in Betong, Sarawak have landed in hot soup for holding a cockfight.
The session has sparked off another series of Covid-19 infections, recording 55 new cases. The infections are not among the 220 new positive infections recorded statewide today.
State Disaster Management Committee chairman Datuk Amar Dougglas Uggah told a press conference in Kuching that the defiant attitude of many Sarawakians was shocking.
“In one longhouse alone in my constituency (Betong) there was a cockfighting session.
“The longhouse people defied directives against social gatherings and staged a cock-fighting session.
“An outbreak of infections was triggered in that longhouse.
“We found 55 positive infections among those who took part so far.
“That figure is not included in our number of new cases today,” he said.
Uggah said state authorities were also appalled with the lackadaisical attitude of the people of Sarawak.
“We have been seeing three-digit surges in positive cases everyday.
“Yet so many do not bother about the standard operating procedures (SOPs),” he said.
Uggah said that there were those who were willing to endanger themselves, their families and the community just so they could indulge in such activities.
“The failure to follow SOPs is widespread,” he said, calling on security forces to take stern action.
There are no new fatalities today.
As for new Covid-19 cases, Bintulu recorded 57, Sibu 54, Miri 37, Kapit 20, Kuching 12 and several other districts less than 10.
Sibu Hospital is treating 1,059 positive cases, Bintulu Hospital 327, Miri Hospital 197, Kapit Hospital 193, Sarikei Hospital 190, Betong Hospital 44 and Sri Aman Hospital 35.
There are still 26 active clusters statewide. – The Vibes, March 1, 2021
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