MIRI – There could be many people walking around in Sarawak passing the Covid-19 virus to other people they encounter up-close without even realising that they are infected as they they do not suffer any outward symptom.
This is a major worry that Sarawak is having to deal with now in the war against the pandemic, said state Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian today.
“Those already infected with Covid-19 but do not display outward symptoms are capable of spreading it in their community.
“Despite not having any symptoms at all, they will still be very infectious,” he said in his social media updates.
He was commenting on a development yesterday, where Sarawak saw a worrying instance of 234 asymptomatic cases.
The discovery of these 234 “silent” coronavirus carriers was announced yesterday evening by the state Disaster Management Committee secretariat among the 252 fresh infections recorded by Sarawak yesterday, as well as one death.
“The 252 infected people were found through active tracing and screening in the community,” the secretariat said in a press statement.
Sibu district yesterday recorded 149 new Covid-19 infections, with 133 of the affected people showing zero symptoms, the secretariat said.
In Miri, 17 new cases were found yesterday and 13 of them showed absolutely no symptoms, the secretariat added.
Dr Sim today said those with no outward symptoms can only confirm if they are infected with Covid-19 if they undergo swab tests and screening.
“Those who have no symptoms but feel they may be infected must go for immediate screening as they will be doing a great favour to themselves, their families and their community,” he said.
He stressed that the people have no choice but to fully adhere to standard operating procedures if they want to see a halt in infections in Sarawak. – The Vibes, March 9, 2021
