KUCHING, June 2: With Kapit Division facing critical Covid-19 facility shortage issues, more Low Risk Treatment and Quarantine Centre (PKRC) should be set up at outbreak areas to contain the spread of the pandemic.
This is the view of Baleh assemblyman Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing who is now in Kapit, monitoring the Covid-19 situation which he says is worsening.
“Kapit Division will soon be running out of Covid-19 facilities if the present trend of Covid-19 is still rising.
“Dewan Suarah and Indoor stadium are used for those who are Covid-19 positive. At any one time there are an average of 130 positive cases per day in Kapit.
“PUI (Persons under investigation) are placed at Asrama Belia and Rumah Temuai. The more serious cases are placed in Kapit General Hospital. Kapit hospital is now also full,” said Masing in a statement today.
Masing, who is also Deputy Chief Minister, added that both Dewan Suarah and Indoor Stadium of Kapit will be running out space for those who are Covid-19 positive soon.
“Sarawak should, therefore, established PKRC in areas where Covid-19 positive cases are rising. For example, Kapit Town, Bintulu, Miri and other areas where coronavirus cases spikes, more PKRC should be built.
“In Kapit, for instance, PKRC should be built within the vicinity of Baleh HEP Dam where Covid-19 clusters were found. This will reduce the pressure on the use of Dewan Suarah for Covid-19 positive patients.
“This way, we can isolate Covid-19 positive cases from non-Covid19 positive (cases). The chain of infection therefore, can be cut,” said Masing.
At the same time, he said, Sarawak must push hard for vaccination in order to create herd immunity.
“By building PKRC and having an aggressive push for vaccination, we are attacking Covid-19 on two fronts. This way, we will be in a better position to fight Covid-19 in a shorter amount of time.
“When Covid-19 is contained in the near future, we can use these buildings for other purposes,” said Masing, who also believed that the money will be well spent for the construction of PKRCs in red zone areas. — DayakDaily
