MIRI – Sarawak has to close its borders as an effective way to curb the spread of the Delta Covid-19 variant in the state, an NGO said today.
Society for Rights of Indigenous People of Sarawak secretary-general Michael Jok said closing air, land and sea entry points is the way to go.
“We already have so many local Delta (Covid-19 variant) cases in Kuching and now in Miri. Close the borders, we have no choice,” he told The Vibes.
The Health Department yesterday confirmed 80 Sarawakians had contracted the highly infectious strain, in addition to one international visitor, four Malaysian citizens from the peninsula and eight irregular migrants in police lock-ups and Immigration Department detention centres respectively.
Ten carriers had been fully vaccinated before they tested positive.
State health director Datuk Dr Mohamed Sapian Mohamed said Kuching has 69 Delta variant cases, followed by Samarahan (10), Serian (6), Sri Aman (5), Miri (2) and Sibu (1).
Dr Sapian, in a statement today, said the 80 Sarawakians were identified in relation to clusters in the state.
In Miri, cases involving the strain were found in the Lorong Perlis 4 cluster, which involved a residential estate.
“They are all in hospital for treatment with one in ICU (intensive care) but no deaths so far.”
Sarawak yesterday had 407 new Covid-19 infections – with the most in Kuching with 198, Serian (38), Samarahan (34), Sibu (27), Bintulu (17) and Miri (8).
Yesterday’s two deaths also brought total fatalities from the pandemic in the state to 457. – The Vibes, July 26, 2021
