MIRI – Major hospitals in Sarawak are reporting high usage of ventilators and intensive care facilities due to the increasing number of Covid-19 patients in critical condition, said Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian.
The state housing and local government minister said hospitals in Kuching, Sibu, Miri, Bintulu, Kapit, Sarikei and other districts are seeing their intensive care units and Covid-19 wards being stretched to the limit.
Sharing his concerns in his public social media chat groups, Dr Sim said hospitals are overwhelmed following the state’s record coronavirus tally yesterday.
“Looking at the very high transmissions over the past 14 days, the situation is very worrying. The number of new daily cases is very high, and every day, we lose people to the virus – the death of someone’s father, mother, daughter, son, friend.
“The use of ICU facilities and ventilators (to assist those who cannot breathe on their own) is also very high. We are grateful that the Health Ministry has promised to assist us immediately.
“They are sending some 500 doctors, nurses, medical assistants to our hospitals.”
Sarawak yesterday recorded another four Covid-19 deaths – driving up the state’s toll to 128 – and 607 infections.
The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee secretariat in a statement said there are 48 active clusters in the state, including the new Jalan Puncak Borneo cluster in Kuching.
Of the 607 fresh cases, Bintulu recorded the most at 130.
Sibu saw 106 cases, followed by Kuching (66), Mukah (52), Miri (49), Kapit (33), Meradong (29), Saratok (23), Sarikei and Samarahan (14 each). Other districts logged fewer than 10 cases.
The Jalan Puncak Borneo cluster recorded 60 cases among trainees at a police training camp.
Sarawak has, for the last two days, been the state with the most infections nationwide. – The Vibes, April 14, 2021
