Sibu Division attains vaccination rate of 94 pct (1 dose), 79 pct (2 doses) as at Aug 5

Voluntary vaccine recipients lining up for their turn at a mobile vaccination programme in Sibu.

SIBU, Aug 9: Sibu Division, which comprises Sibu, Selangau and Kanowit districts, has achieved 94 per cent first dose (218,965 individuals) and 79 per cent for two doses (188,098 individuals) of Covid-19 vaccination as at Aug 5.

Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Bawang Assan chairman  Senator Robert Lau Hui Yew, in a statement, said this vaccination rate was based on the number of 238,000 people who were eligible for vaccination.

Vaccination, he said, has helped to reduce the number of cases and the severity of those who are infected.

“Statistics from Sibu Hospital show that the death rate, ICU admission and intubated cases are coming down for Sibu Division as the number of vaccinated people increases,” he pointed out.

In May this year, the number of patients at the ICU was 35 while those needing intubation was 17; June 45 ICU, 20 intubation; July 40 ICU, 16 intubation; Aug (up to 6th) 15 ICU and eight intubation.

There were a total of 193 deaths from Jan to Aug 1 this year. However the number is reduced in each passing month.

There were 15 deaths from Jan 1 to 31, 33 from Feb 1 to 27, 17 from March 1 to 30, 22 from April 1 to 30, 33 from May 1 to 31, 36 from June 1 to 30, 21 from July 1 to 30 and one case on Aug 1.

Lau advised residents to continue to practice mask wearing, physicical distancing and hygienic practices as Covid-19 has become endemic in the society. — DayakDaily