Malaysia

Kuching’s Covid-19 clusters go undetected as infections soar

Outbreaks flying under radar in high-risk locations as Sarawak struggles to contain pandemic

Updated 5 years ago · Published on 12 May 2021 12:59PM

Kuching’s Covid-19 clusters go undetected as infections soar
Based on the addresses and locations of recurring Covid-19 infections in high-risk locations in Kuching, state Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian says there are definitely more undetected clusters in the area. – Wikipedia pic, May 12, 2021

by Stephen Then

MIRI – There are more undetected Covid-19 clusters in Sarawak’s capital Kuching based on recurring infections in high-risk locations.

State Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian warned that these undetected clusters may add more issues to the worsening pandemic in the state.

“Looking at the addresses and locations of recurring Covid-19 infections in high-risk locations now in Kuching, there are definitely more clusters out there yet to be detected.

“I have asked the state Health Department and divisional health offices to be more swift in detecting emerging clusters.

“They must make known and disclose hotspots so the public can take action to protect themselves,” he said today in his daily social media chats with his constituents.

Dr Sim is Batu Kawah assemblyman and adviser to the state Disaster Management Committee.

He called for greater levels of vigilance and compliance to all state SOPs.

On the decision by Sarawak to not implement the movement control order (MCO) despite the infections and deaths, Sim said the most important is the enforcement of the SOPs regardless of MCO status.

“Sarawak under conditional MCO has already implemented most of the MCO measures announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.”

Sarawak, Dr Sim said, has imposed many enhanced SOPs.

“We have imposed orders such as no inter-district or inter-zone travelling, no schools allowed to open, no social gatherings, meetings or seminars, and all shops must close by 10pm (8pm in Bintulu and Sibu).

“Eateries can only cater to takeaways while sports and recreational activities are restricted. Hari Raya family visits are to be done only on the first day (Syawal 1).”

Sim said strict compliance of all these measures is crucial to tamp down on the rise of more infections.

Sarawak has a death toll of 211 and some 36,000 infections as of yesterday evening. – The Vibes, May 12, 2021

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