By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Sept 3: Covid-19 cases in Sarawak are expected to increase over the next few weeks as the State government boosts testing by supplying RTK rapid antigen kits that yield faster results.
Minister for Local Government and Housing Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian revealed the caseload recorded yesterday (Sept 2), which hit a fresh record high of 2,994, reflected the transmission of Covid-19 within the community in the past 14 days.
“We will have more cases for the next few weeks with more facilities doing more swabs, unlike the rest of Malaysia (which is) in mitigation stage and only swab those who are symptomatic, thus the number of cases will drop drastically,” he shared in his social media post last night.
The Sarawak government, he emphasised, has spent RM2 million to procure Covid-19 RTK rapid antigen test kits at the request of Sarawak State Health Department for the use at testing facilities for quicker diagnoses.
“(I was made to) understand that the Covid-19 One Stop Centre (COSC) at MBKS Community Hall has started using the RTK antigen (test kits).
“About 50 per cent of the 2,774 people who visited the COSC yesterday were tested using the rapid test kits,” he said.
Dr Sim, who is also State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) advisor, pointed out that Sarawak too is preparing to transition into the Covid-19 endemic phase where the people live, albeit cautiously, with the disease just like in Singapore and the United Kingdom.
“Sarawakians, like Singaporeans and British will have to live with the virus in the post-Covid-19 vaccination era.
“Vaccination is important but that alone cannot protect us when face with the Delta variant.
“So even after two doses of vaccine, we need everyone to stay vigilant and maintain self-discipline by complying with all safety and precautionary measures to help reduce community transmission so as to not overwhelm the healthcare system and hospitals,” he reminded. — DayakDaily
