MIRI – Sarawak today records 361 new Covid-19 cases, its highest so far.
Of the total infections, 89 are in Miri alone, with 49 involving workers on an offshore oil platform.
State Disaster Management Committee chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the outbreak is likely caused by lax compliance of standard operating procedures (SOPs) by the oil company.
“The state authorities are investigating the surge of cases in Miri and the person who sparked the outbreak at the platform.
“We are also investigating the oil company. If it has neglected SOPs, we will penalise it heavily.”
Previously, Sarawak’s highest daily record was on January 24, with 353 cases.
Uggah said police today have arrested two foreign workers in a Kuching restaurant for not wearing face masks.
After Miri, Sibu comes in second with 73 fresh infections, followed by Bintulu (71), Betong (60), Kuching (22) and Subis (11), while other districts have less than 10 cases.
There are still 25 clusters statewide.
Sibu Hospital has 885 Covid-19 patients, while Miri Hospital has 289; Sarawak General Hospital in Kuching, 303; Bintulu Hospital, 391; Kapit Hospital, 132; Sarikei Hospital, 137; and Sri Aman Hospital, 28.
There is no new coronavirus fatality today, so the death toll in the state remains at 84. – The Vibes, March 4, 2021
