MIRI – The Delta variant continues to wreak havoc in Sarawak, adding another 180 infections to the caseload in the state after a recent mass screening initiative.
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) health and community medicine director Prof Dr David Perera said a new variant of concern from Indonesia was also detected during the screening.
“Recently, we took samples of 355 Covid-19 patients in Sarawak, and found that 180 of them have the Delta variant.
“Delta cases are found in Bau, Bintulu, Lundu, Kuching, Miri, Sri Aman, Simunjan and Samarahan. There are 124 such cases in Kuching alone, and two more Beta cases.
“There are also seven cases involving the new variant of concern from Indonesia.”
Dr Perara has handed a report on the findings to the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee for further action.
So far, Unimas, via screening initiatives, has detected almost 500 Covid-19 cases involving various variants in the state.
Sarawak recorded 494 new Covid-19 cases today, with 307 in Kuching alone.
The state also logged two fresh fatalities, involving a 70-year-old man in Mukah and 75-year-old man in Kuching. Its death toll now stands at 464.
The committee in a statement today said the Sarawak government has decided that Bau, Lundu, Tebedu, Kuching, Serian and Samarahan will still be under Phase 2 of the National Recovery Plan due to high infections rates.
Sarawak is slated to transition to Phase 3 of the plan tomorrow. – The Vibes, August 3, 2021
