By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Aug 13: The highly contagious Covid-19 Delta variant has become the predominant strain responsible for 85 per cent of Covid-19 infections in greater Kuching, which also currently affects children.
Minister for Local Government and Housing Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian emphasised that with greater Kuching accounting for 85 per cent of the Covid-19 cases in Sarawak, it reflected how the aggressive Delta variant causes more infections as it spreads faster by aerosols, compared to earlier forms of the virus.
As Sarawak registered a record high of 1,216 cases yesterday (Aug 12), he expressed disappointment that the Covid-19 situation in the State has reverted back to the late containment stage.
“Sarawak has taken two steps forward and one step back. We should be alarmed by the (high) numbers (of Covid-19 cases) so that everyone of us can change our behaviour and adhere strictly to the standard operating procedures (SOP) to live with Covid-19.
“Sarawak has scaled up on vaccination since June before the Delta variant was detected in July, unlike greater Kuala Lumpur which is in the mitigation stage as their scaling up of vaccination happened after Delta emerged with testing only for those who are symptomatic.
“Sarawak should continue to do testing on as many people as possible as early detections and treatment will save lives,” he said in a social media post last night.
While less testing will definitely reflect a lower number of cases, he however pointed out that Sarawak would rather see a high number of cases as this will reflect the real situation that would serve as a reminder for the public to not be lax in Covid-19 safety, precautions and protection.
Dr Sim, who is also State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) advisor, informed that the Kuching Division Health Office reported 741 cases yesterday, out of which 178 cases were from outside of Kuching with Bau contributed 137 cases, Lundu (21 cases), Samarahan (9 cases), Serian (7 cases) and imported case from Kuala Lumpur (4 cases).
Of the figure, 277 cases have been fully vaccinated, 51 cases partially vaccinated, 177 cases were ineligible for vaccination, while the status of 220 cases have yet to be determined.
A total of 108 cases were from active case detection (ACD), 25 cases were symptomatic, eight from pre-testing prior to hospital admissions, 45 cases are still pending investigations.
A total of 202 cases stemmed from family clusters, 59 cases from workplace clusters and 50 cases from social clusters. — DayakDaily
