SARAWAK is on alert for a surge in Covid-19 infections following a new wave of the disease detected in Singapore, which has direct air links with Kuching.
Deputy Premier Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian said health authorities in Sarawak are on standby for an outbreak.
Speaking after attending Wesak Day prayers in Kuching, he said Sarawak would not cut air links with Singapore or impose movement controls.
"We in Sarawak are taking steps to stock up on Paxlovid. That will be good enough to deal with any possible surge of infection," he said.
"Furthermore, more than 90% of people in Sarawak have already had three shots of the Covid-19 vaccination," he said, adding that some have had a fourth dose.
Dr Sim, who is the Sarawak public health minister, said the state is well-equipped to deal with a Covid wave.
"We have very high standard screening facilities in Sarawak to deal with Covid-19," he said.
He said Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, near Kuching, has been successful in swiftly detecting new variants of Covid-19.
"That helped a lot in enabling fast action to tackle the spread."
Sarawak reported more than 3,000 deaths and tens of thousands of infections in the first and second waves of Covid-19 between early 2020 and 2023. – May 23, 2024.
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