By Ling Hui
KUCHING, July 1: With the current Covid-19 vaccination rate, Sarawak is hoping to inoculate about 50 per cent of its population with at least with one dose of the vaccines by July 22 on the State’s Independence Day.
State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) advisor Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, in stating this, emphasised that Sarawak has now vaccinated almost 40 per cent of the population with one dose and is close to achieving 10 per cent with two complete doses.
According to the statistics provided by the Covid-19 Vaccine Supply Access Guarantee Special Committee (JKJAV) as of 11.59pm on June 30, Sarawak has administered 1,070,727 first doses to 38 per cent of the population, and another 250,011 second doses to 8.9 per cent of the population.
“For first doses, we (Sarawak) are at 30 plus per cent now. Every day, the figures keep on increasing, so in three weeks’ time, we will be almost as good as Israel (that has vaccinated) about 50 per cent (of the country’s population).
“We will continue to roll out (the vaccination). There were vaccines that arrived yesterday (June 30), there will be more tomorrow (July 2) and on July 5.
“Meaning that hopefully by Sarawak Independence Day on July 22, we will reach as high as 50 per cent,” said Dr Sim after the flag-off of the Delivery Hope by Rotary Club Bintulu Central and Latter-day Saints (LDS) Charities in front of the old State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Complex here today.
He also expressed hope that by then, it would be a different scenario in Sarawak where social and economic activities could slowly open up on condition that the Covid-19 daily caseloads continue to decrease.
Meanwhile, the flag-off ceremony was held to launch the delivery of 11,050 personal protective equipment (PPEs) and 30,000 KN95 face masks to hospitals in four districts starting with Kuching today, then Bintulu, Sibu and Miri.
Dr Sim, who is also Minister for Local Government and Housing, was thankful to the two organisations for their donations on behalf of all frontliners who have been toiling away in the war against Covid-19.
“Thanks to the Rotary Club (Bintulu Central) and LDS Charities for this donation in the Sarawak’s spirit of fighting Covid-19.
“I always say it’s not the amount you give, but the spirit and gesture of giving that will help to inspire and remind the frontliners that they do get the people’s support and they are not alone,” he added.
Among those also present at the ceremony were LDS Charities US representative President Sulai, Rotary Club RI District 3310 Director Andre Suharto, Rotary Club Bintulu Central president Allen Wong and secretary Linnie Lee. — DayakDaily
