![[UPDATED] Delta blamed for Sarawak’s record-high 5,291 new cases](https://media.thevibes.com/images/uploads/covers/MAY_2021/_large/kuching_sarawak_covid-19_swab_test_-_may_25_2021_-_bernama.jpg)
MIRI – Sarawak authorities are attributing the state’s record-high 5,291 Covid-19 cases today to the Delta variant.
Assistant Health Minister Dr Annuar Rapaee in his social media updates said the surge is because of the highly contagious strain.
Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing in a statement warned against a further relaxation of the standard operating procedures.
“To open up more sectors is too risky. We should also ask if it is wise to go ahead with the reopening of schools next month.”
Sarawak’s new infections today are an almost 100% increase from yesterday’s 3,743.
It has also topped the tally by state for a week.
Meanwhile, state Health Director Datuk Dr Mohamad Sapian Mohamad said in a statement that Sarawak’s infectivity rate has gone up to 18.8%.
“Today, the infectivity rate is at 18.8%, which is an increase from 14.5% before. Today is also the eighth consecutive day that the state has recorded more than 3,000 cases a day.
“This indicates widespread community infection, but the majority of cases unrecorded are in Categories 1 and 2 with no symptoms or mild symptoms.”
Of the 5,291 new cases today, Kuching saw the most cases with 1,845, followed by Serian (620), Sibu (436), Bintulu (435), Bau (212), Samarahan (196), Sri Aman (162), Lundu (134), and Miri (122), with other districts logging around a dozen cases each.
Eight more deaths were confirmed today, bringing Sarawak’s death toll to 625.
There were four deaths in Sarawak General Hospital in Kuching involving a woman aged 81 and three men aged 38, 46 and 86. Three more victims were recorded in Bintulu Hospital: men aged 31, 68 and 73. Lastly, the victim in Sibu was a man aged 84. – The Vibes, September 12, 2021
