SIBU, March 15: Efforts have been made to trace anybody who might have come in contact with Sarikei MP Wong Ling Biu, who tested positive for Covid-19.
Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian said the tracing was being carried out, especially in Sarikei, where the patient was residing.
He confirmed that the DAP lawmaker has been tested positive for Covid-19, adding that the patient had to be isolated at Sibu Hospital, as Sarikei Hospital was not among the four designated hospitals in the state for such isolation.
“For the case in Sibu Hospital (Wong), we are tracing everybody in Sarikei. We are also doing the same for two positive cases in Miri Hospital, as the patients comes from Limbang,” he said told reporters here today.
Dr Sim was accompanying Sarawak deputy chief minister, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Deputy Health Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang to visit Kemuyang Youth Camp, which was designated to house Covid-19 patients in Sibu.
The Sarikei MP is in an isolation ward in Sibu Hospital since March 13. It was said that he could have contacted the virus while attending political meetings in Kuala Lumpur from Feb 29 until last week.
Dr Sim revealed 11 new Covid-19 cases in the state as of today, bringing the total number to 20.
Of the new cases, eight are from Miri (all from Sri Petaling Mosque, Kuala Lumpur cluster), one each from Bintulu, Sarikei (Sibu Hospital) and Kuching. He added that the clusters of the three new cases have yet to be determined
“These cases came from different clusters where the source is still unknown. We have yet to determine the clusters,” he continued.
Dr Sim said all Covid-19 patients were treated in four designated hospitals in Kuching (Sarawak General Hospital), Sibu Hospital, Bintulu Hospital and Miri Hospital.
Meanwhile, Uggah reiterated that the state has imposed a lockdown by preventing the entry of people from Korea, Italy, Iran and China more than two weeks ago.
“Those entering the state also have to fill in the entry form at the airport. This way, we are able to trace those who might have the virus,” he added.
Uggah, who is also Sarawak Disaster Management Committee chairman, appealed to the public to strictly abide to the health guideline against the spread of the virus.
This include minimising social contact, personal hygiene and avoid unnecessary travelling especially to places with the infection. — DayakDaily
