MIRI – Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian today warned “recalcitrant Sarawakians” there is scientific evidence showing that the Delta Covid-19 variant is rampaging in Kuching and other parts of the state.
The state housing and local government minister also used the word “recalcitrant” to refer to certain businesses that are not complying with the standard operating procedures put in place to stop infections.
Dr Sim in his social media chats said the difficult decision of imposing a curfew looks likely, especially in the state capital, where up to 90% of Covid-19 patients were found to have contracted the Delta strain.
He said hundreds of people in Kuching have gotten infected despite being fully vaccinated.
“Sarawak is fortunate to have scaled up vaccinations in June, but unfortunately, saw the Delta variant in July.”
He thanked the Universiti Malaysia Sarawak team under Dr David Perera, director of the varsity’s Institute of Health and Community Medicine, for conducting complex genomic tests.
“Their tests showed clinical details of sustained widespread Delta transmission in the community in Kuching and the rest of Sarawak.
“We have to realise that Delta will not be the last mutated strain in Sarawak’s Covid-19 pandemic.”
Dr Sim, who is also adviser to the state Disaster Management Committee, said it is unrealistic for Sarawak to resort to totally isolating itself by cutting off air, sea and land links till the pandemic subsides.
He said the state should impose curfews of at least two cycles of 21 days until local transmissions end.
He lamented that there are still “recalcitrants” claiming their businesses have seen no coronavirus cases despite the state registering 11 new clusters yesterday, and slammed those who refuse to wear a mask and still hold social gatherings.
They continue to have social gatherings in their own way despite overwhelming scientific evidence that Delta is with us, not only in Kuching, but also the rest of Sarawak.”
There is a limit to what enforcement authorities can do to stem the virus’ spread, he said.
“The enforcement, the policies, the vaccines…can only do so much. We need everyone to play their role so that we can live with new norms even after vaccination.”
Sarawak as of yesterday logged a total of 491 Covid-19 deaths and more than 90,000 infections.
The state has found more than 500 cases involving variants, most of them Delta. – The Vibes, August 19, 2021
