By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Jan 7: Active Case Detection (ACD) operations are currently underway at Sg Putong and Bui Panjang longhouses near Simanggang which have been put under lockdown following Covid-19 positive cases reported there yesterday (Jan 6).
Sarawak Health Department director Dr Chin Zin Hing revealed that there were two positive cases detected following their visits to seek treatment at the Sri Aman clinic.
“The patients had flu-like symptoms so they were screened and tested and the results returned positive on the same day.
“We are going to screen and test the residents now. We will see the results from the ACD and decide on the next step of actions,” he told DayakDaily when interviewed today.
As cases are expected to increase, Dr Chin emphasised the need to step up on control measures to break the chain and contain the infections in the area.
On the cause of the infection, he added that it had yet to be established as the authorities are still investigating while contact tracing is ongoing.
“The lockdown is to restrict their movement within the longhouse and is not similar to the Kampung Haji Baki situation as the area is bigger,” he explained without elaborating on how long the lockdown will be enforced.
Meanwhile, residents Sg Putong and Bui Panjang longhouses are not allowed to leave nor outsiders are able to enter the place during the lockdown period.
Acting Sri Aman Resident Elvis Didit, who confirmed this in a statement today, emphasised that the lockdown measure was more convenient than having to transfer the residents to a quarantine centre in Simanggang or Lubok Antu due to logistic difficulties.
In line with the lockdown order, KPD Sri Aman and KPD Lubok Antu had been requested to deploy a team respectively to monitor the longhouses to ensure no movement in and out of the longhouses for the time being.
According to an earlier statement, it was learnt that a Covid-19 positive patient had visited the Sri Aman clinic yesterday after suffering from a cough that lasted for two weeks. The swab test result returned positive on the same day.
However, the patient had returned to the longhouse in Bui Panjai near Lubok Antu yesterday (Jan 6).
Elvis also assured that the Welfare Department will take immediate action to deliver food to the two longhouses as well as for other staff on duty there. — DayakDaily
