KOTA KINABALU – The high number of Covid-19 infections recorded in Sabah today – 702 – is due to backlog cases, said Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun.
“There’s still a backlog of 11,000 samples. We expect that the number of new cases will continue to be high over the next few days,” the state’s spokesman on coronavirus matters told his first briefing here.
The state accounted for more than 80% of the 871 fresh cases registered nationwide today.
Of the Sabah infections, 49 are in the new Kapayan Prison cluster, existing clusters (81) and regular screening (572).
Masidi said the state has been bogged down by more than 18,000 backlog samples since movement curbs began to be reintroduced this month.
At present, Sabah can conduct 6,927 RT-PCR tests using two Health Ministry labs, as well as private ones, a day.
Masidi rubbished claims that the state is running low on protective gear, saying supplies are available upon request and will be flown in by the air force.
He said there are now 1,577 people in self-isolation at hospital and extension wards, while 29,470 have been ordered to undergo home quarantine.
“There are currently 383 people hospitalised, and 1,174 in quarantine centres.”
He said the latest state cabinet meeting decided that all non-coronavirus health issues will be handled by Community Development and People’s Well-being Minister Shahelmy Yahya.
Masidi, who also holds the local government and housing portfolio, said there is no need for Sabah to have a Health Ministry, as all its functions are already contained in Shahelmy’s ministry.
“The previous state government created the Health Ministry, but the problem is, the state does not have the power to formulate laws and regulations, as well as conduct enforcement.
“Therefore, the portfolio was akin to a toothless tiger, or like declaring a king without a kingdom... There’s no use creating a portfolio that doesn’t have power.”
He said former Sabah health minister Frankie Poon, too, has admitted that authority lies with the state command centre.
On businesses operating under the conditional movement control order, he said there is a need to strike a balance between fighting Covid-19 and ensuring residents continue to earn a living.
He called on Sabahans to empathise with those in the low-income group who need to continue working even when the state is under a partial lockdown.
“People can still go out as long as there are just two persons per car.
“During the movement control order, no one was allowed to go out, but now, the rules have been eased.”
Sabah has received a donation from corporate figure Tan Sri Desmond Lim Siew Choon to aid in the fight against the virus.
He gave RM2 million, as well as RM1 million from the Sabah Economic Development Corporation. – The Vibes, October 18, 2020
