MIRI – The Sarawak government is imposing two measures to curb the spread of the Delta Covid-19 variant ripping through the state.
For those traveling out of southern Sarawak, they will have to obtain a police permit and undertake swab tests.
The state Disaster Management Committee announced that besides getting a police permit, those in the districts of Kuching, Lundu, Bau, Tebedu, Serian, Samarahan and Asajaya wanting to travel must secure negative swab test results three days prior to the travel date.
The committee’s secretariat said this is necessary to curb the increase in the spread of Covid-19 exacerbated by Delta variant infections, mostly affecting urban Sarawak.
Prof Dr David Perera from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak’s Institute of Health and Community Medicine (IHCM) said that the Delta variant was fast spreading in Kuching, Serian, Samarahan, Bintulu, Miri and Sibu.
Dr Perera’s latest report revealed that the Delta variant detected in Kuching made up 99% of all Covid-19 cases as of August 17, 93% in Samarahan, 95% in Serian, 84% in Bintulu, 65% in Miri and 60% in Sibu.
“There were 699 Delta cases detected as of August 17.”
Kuching saw 422 cases, Serian 76, Samarahan 105, Sibu 24, Miri 17, Bintulu 36 and several places, fewer than 10.
There were 11 cases of an Indonesian-origin variant of concern, 47 Beta cases and 13 Theta cases.
“Overall, the average rate of detection of the Delta variant throughout Sarawak is 82% for the whole state.
“As of August 17, some 771 cases of variants were found state-wide,” he said, adding that his latest report has been tabled to the Disaster Management Committee.
Today, Sarawak saw 2,427 infections, with Kuching recording the highest number with 1,155 cases, followed by Serian (434), Sibu (147) and other districts below 100 cases each.
There were four new coronavirus deaths confirmed today involving two women aged 71 and 91 and a 71-year-old man in Kuching, as well as a woman aged 60 in Sibu, bringing the fatality toll in Sarawak to 517. – The Vibes, August 28, 2021
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