KUCHING – As Sarawak reels from a rapid surge of Covid-19 cases, the state health department is concerned that public apathy towards adhering to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) to curtail transmissions may turn the capital city and other districts into red zones.
Sibu as of today is just three cases away from being declared a red zone.
There are now 37 cases in Sibu and 55 state-wide. An area is declared a red zone when it has 40 cases.
Health Department director Dr Chan Zin Hing said in a statement to local media today that the rising number of Covid-19 cases throughout the state has caused several districts, which were hitherto safer, to become yellow or orange zones.
“If we pay little heed to SOPs and other guidelines our healthcare system will be overwhelmed like what is happening in West Malaysia,” he said.
“We certainly do not wish for the same to happen here in Sarawak,” he said, adding that most of those who have been infected were found to be asymptomatic or with mild symptoms which could be missed.
According to him, Covid-19 cases are spreading in the community, affecting even toddlers and those up to 86 years of age.
Chan said districts such as Sri Aman, Betong, Kapit and Lawas which were Covid-19-free have fallen to the novel coronavirus.
“It is working people who spend long hours outside who are the carriers of the virus to family members such as children and the elderly who are highly vulnerable to the infection,” he said.
“There are also friends in social gatherings who spread the virus to one to another. To stop the spread of the virus, it is important to strictly adhere to the health department guidelines and SOPs.”
He called on those who feel they have been exposed to the virus to seek medical attention at clinics.
Meanwhile, state Minister for Local Government and Housing, Datuk Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, pointed out that Sarawak registered double-digits cases since the past few days and the current fourth wave of Covid-19 in Sarawak has spread fast and is highly infectious.
According to him, in the last two weeks Sibu alone notched up 39 cases.
“I fear that within one or two days Kuching will become a red zone,” he said, during a live streaming session on the Facebook page of Kuching City South Council (MBKS) mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng.
Sim also cautioned that the current fourth wave of Covid-19 in the state has infected mostly young people and they are usually symptomatic presenting fever and cough. –The Vibes, January 9, 2021
