MIRI – The Covid-19 Delta variant transmission in Sarawak has yet to peak, and holding a state election now will trigger a major explosion of new infections, warned Miri MP Dr Teo Yu Keng.
The Sarawak PKR vice-chairman said today that data compiled by many medical and health specialists in Sarawak showed the danger of a much bigger wave of transmission looming ahead.
“A state election now will ignite this new wave of transmission,” said Dr Teo, adding that Sarawak is actually still in the middle stage of the Delta variant spread.
“The Delta variant infections have not reached their peak yet in this state. The reason why the official figures of infections in Sarawak are not so high anymore is that the state health authorities do not screen close contacts or suspected cases of infections anymore.
“There are lots of community infections all over, judging from the high number of people ending up in critical conditions in Categories 3, 4 and 5 on a daily basis. Our intensive care unit (ICU) usage is still very high in hospitals throughout Sarawak.
“Having the 12th state elections at this juncture will be very risky,” he said.
Dr Teo was commenting on the move by Sarawak opposition leader and Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) president Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh to petition the Agong not to allow state ruling coalition Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) to hold the 12th state elections this year.
A letter from the PSB head office in Kuching had been delivered to the Agong, The Vibes reported yesterday.
“There is a petition to the Agong from our party, but I have not seen the content. Basically, the petition is to stop GPS from holding the 12th state elections this year as that will deny Undi18 from voting.
“The petition also highlights our worries about the current Covid-19 situation that is still serious and deadly in Sarawak,” said a PSB leader in northern Sarawak.
The petition came after GPS activated its election operation centres in the state.
The Election Commission is believed to have convened a full-scale briefing for polling station officers and district office workers – another tell-tale sign of impending polls.
Death toll exceeds 1,150
Meanwhile, the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee secretariat reported that there were 51 serious cases of Covid-19 patients admitted to ICUs in state hospitals over the past two days. Yesterday saw 13, and the day before that, 38.
Those needing oxygen and ventilators to breathe numbered at least 30.
The secretariat said there were 13 confirmed Covid-19 deaths statewide for each of the past two days.
Sibu had nine deaths on Monday, with the victims aged between 28 and 85.
Deaths were also recorded in Miri, Kuching, Limbang and other districts.
The total death toll from Covid-19 has thus far exceeded 1,150 in Sarawak. – The Vibes, October 20, 2021
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