SDDMC: No Covid-19 Delta variants detected in Sibu yet, stop spreading rumours

Graphic depicting the Covid-19 virus. Image credit: Pixabay, Creative Commons License

SIBU, July 15: The Sibu Divisional Disaster Management Committee (SDDMC) has advised the public not to spread unverified information that Covid-19 Delta variant cases have been detected here.

In a statement today, SDDMC clarified that no Delta variant cases have been found in Sibu as of July 15.

“The news that had gone viral about the variant already being present in Sibu was likely due to the case of an Indonesian who tested positive for Covid-19 on July 7 and was being treated at the Sibu Hospital,” it said.

SDDMC added that as a screening on the patient was unable to identify the variant, a sample was sent to Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) on July 12 for further testing.

“According to Unimas, the process of detecting or identifying the variant is very complicated and will take one to two weeks,” it added.

Close contacts of the case have been screened and were all found to have tested negative for Covid-19 but are still being detained at the quarantine centre here.

In advising the people not to spread fake news, SDDMC urged the public to remain vigilant, including complying with the existing standard operating procedures as the Delta variant had been detected in the State. — DayakDaily