By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Aug 24: Nearly 3,800 people turned up at the Covid-19 One Stop Centre (OSC) located at MBKS Community Hall in Jalan Padungan here to get tested for Covid-19 yesterday (Aug 23).
Minister for Local Government and Housing Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian revealed that the State health authorities collected a total of 4,931 samples yesterday including those in quarantine at designated facilities as well as from active case detection (ACD).
“Thank you very much for coming forward to get tested and for your understanding and patience in queueing for the free Covid-19 testing at the OSC.
“The cost per head for testing (which is absorbed by the government) is RM100,” he shared in his social media post last night.
Dr Sim, who is also State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) advisor, also expressed appreciation to all medical and non-medical frontliners for their hard work as they have stretched thin to address the urgent need in pandemic.
“The frontliner staff in Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) and private healthcare facilities including those behind the scenes doing the packing and in the laboratories have been working seven days a week, with some around the clock just to get the results out to you as soon as possible,” he said.
The Covid-10 OSC at Jalan Padungan is running at full swing currently, operating from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Dr Sim, thus, advised people not to all rush to the testing site in the morning to avoid overcrowding, long lines and lengthy waits but come at their time of convenience in the afternoon.
Note that beginning today, designated routes have been assigned to control the traffic flow into the Covid-19 OSC.
To enter the facility, motorists can either take the Jalan Tan Sri Datuk William Tan-Jalan Pinang-Jalan Lumba Kuda route or the Jalan Sekama-Jalan Padungan route.
Kuching District Police Chief ACP Ahsmon Bajah announced yesterday that the routes were initiated given the congestion and long queues formed due to the increase in number of people going to the testing site recently.
The public are advised to adhere to the instructions by police officers on duty as well as traffic signages erected to ensure a smooth flow of traffic in and out of the facility.
Other public health clinics in Kuching are also providing PCR swab tests but appointment is required to avoid large crowds and emergence of new clusters.
Those who intend to get tested at health clinics can make an appointment by contacting KK Jalan Masjid, KK Batu Kawa, KK Kota Sentosa, KK Petra Jaya, KK Tanah Puteh, Bau District Health Office and Lundu District Health office.— DayakDaily
