MIRI – Seasonal influenza is worsening in Sarawak, while a wave of the highly-contagious BA.5 subvariant of Omicron is gaining momentum.
The public at large is apparently oblivious to this double trouble.
Senior Miri city councillor Karambir Singh, who is also chairman of the Miri Hospital Visitors Board, today cautioned that there are increasing risks of community infections from both ailments.
He told The Vibes that the latest situation should be cause for alarm.
“The seasonal influenza is increasing among the community, even as we were informed of the wave of the BA.5 Omicron variant gaining speed in the state.
“Everyone coming to the Miri Hospital must wear facemasks. This is mandatory within the hospital building.
“We may have to make it mandatory too within the hospital compound outside of the buildings, such as the public car parks, canteens and outside waiting zones,” he said.
Karambir, who is also senior vice-chairman of the Miri Red Crescent Society, said the state authorities need to be alert to the latest developments concerning both ailments.
“They must keep up to date on the increasing threats from the seasonal flu, even as they keep an eye on the Omicron sub-variants.
“Both ailments coming together at once can cause severe health complications and even deaths,” he warned.
The seasonal influenza can also cause severe effects that require hospitalisation.
If those infected are in a weakened state, the seasonal flu can also cause death due to internal complications.
Yesterday, it was announced that about one-third of new Covid-19 infections in Sarawak are now from the highly-contagious BA.5 Omicron subvariant as the wave of infection gains momentum.
Unimas’ director of the Health and Community Medicine Institute, Prof Dr David Perera, said of 165 samples of infected patients tested since June 1, 32.8% had the BA.5 subvariant.
One case of another subvariant, BA.4, was also found, for the first time in Sarawak.
On June 30, Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian had warned Sarawakians to brace themselves for another wave of Covid-19 Omicron subvariants.
The new Omicron subvariants of BA.2.12.1 and BA.5 already detected in Kuching and Sibu may mean that these highly infectious substrains are spreading among the community, he said then.
This situation is being fuelled by the fact that the state’s vast borders are already totally opened to the inflow of travellers, and that all standard operating procedures are now fully relaxed, he said.
“Those who have not had their booster shots should get it fast, especially the elderly and those with comorbidities,” he said in a statement.
On June 30, Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian had warned Sarawakians to brace themselves for another wave of Covid-19 attack of Omicron’s highly infectious sub variants.
The new Omicron subvariants of BA.2.12.1 and BA.5 already detected in Kuching and Sibu may mean the highly infectious substrains are spreading among the community, he said. – The Vibes, August 12, 2022
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