KUCHING, March 26: A total of 6,059 people have contracted Covid-19 from 45 clusters linked to social and gathering activities in Sarawak in just three months of this year.
State Health Department director Dr Chin Zin Hing has reiterated calls for people to prevent crowding and gathering as there is still a significant increase in Covid-19 cases in the State which can be directly linked to the increase in the number of clusters that have been detected so far.
“The increase in the number of clusters in 2021 is due to public involvement in gathering activities such as funerals, social gatherings, workplace, immigration and prison as well as weddings.
“The Department’s analysis found that the main factor contributing to the emergence of clusters is due to the public gathering.
“Failure to adhere to standard operating procedures (SOP) including physical distancing as well as the proper wearing of face masks and hand hygiene have also compounded the worsening Covid-19 situation in the State,” he said in a statement issued today.
Funeral gatherings have resulted in five clusters with one each in Kuching, Sibu, Pusa, Tanjung Manis and Kapit which have a total of 3,360 positive cases or 22.46 per cent of total Covid-19 cases in Sarawak.
Social activities have resulted in 26 clusters with four each in Kuching and Meradong followed by Julau (3), two each in Serian, Samarahan, Sri Aman, Sibu and Miri while Bau, Betong, Selangau, Kapit and Beluru has one each. All 26 clusters recorded 1,625 infections or 10.86 per cent of total Covid-19 cases.
There are 11 workplace-related clusters with Bintulu (3), Miri (2) and one each in Kuching, Sri Aman, Song, Matu, Meradong and Sibu whereby 578 infections were recorded or 3.86 per cent of total Covid-19 cases.
The situation in immigration or prison centres also brought about one cluster in Serian and one cluster in Sibu with 308 infections recorded so far, while a wedding-related cluster in Miri involving 188 people contracted Covid-19.
Dr Chin pointed out that communities in Sarawak should realise that local transmission of Covid-19 in the general community is still happening and the virus is just waiting for an opportunity to spread from those who have contracted the disease, either symptomatic or asymptomatic, to those coming in contact with them.
“Transmission of infections can happen whether in crowded places, confined spaces, during close conversation as well as when dining and drinking as face masks are off,” he stressed.
As such, the State Health Department called for cooperation from the public to avoid or participate in any gathering activities as the risks of infection were high in that setting.
“At the same time, the public is advised to be vigilant and comply with SOP or any health and safety guidelines still enforced at all times to cut the chain of transmission,” he added.
Dr Chin reminded that a high risk of infections take place when an individual participates in a gathering and subsequently spreads the virus to family members and colleagues.
“Show more concern in protecting family members and colleagues by not exposing oneself to the risk of contracting the disease,” he urged. -DayakDaily
