Malaysia

Defiant CNY revellers to blame for spike in S’wak Covid-19 cases: Sim

Checks by health authorities show many people violated SOPs for social gatherings during festival

Updated 5 years ago · Published on 25 Feb 2021 3:00PM

Defiant CNY revellers to blame for spike in S’wak Covid-19 cases: Sim
State Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian (centre) says SOP violations were found to have taken place at food and beverages outlets and in private residences during CNY. – Bernama pic, February 25, 2021

by Stephen Then

MIRI – The blatant disregard of the ban against mass gatherings during Chinese New Year (CNY) is to be blamed for the recent surge in Covid-19 infections in Sarawak.

Investigations by health authorities on Covid-19 patient activities over the past two weeks have found that they had violated the CNY standard operating procedures (SOPs).

State Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, on social media today, said the defiant behaviour and SOP violations were found to have taken place in food and beverages outlets and private residences.

“Health authorities have found that the key factor that caused the recent surge in Covid-19 cases in the state was social gatherings for the CNY celebrations. This is why there is a sharp increase in infections especially in Kuching and Samarahan.”

Chap Goh Meh on Saturday may be another factor that will add to the number of Covid-19 cases in the state, he added.

Just yesterday, Sarawak logged a new daily record of 323 cases. So far, the state has a death toll of 76 and almost 9,000 total infections. – The Vibes, February 25, 2021

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