SIBU, July 5: There is a possibility that Sibu Division can achieve a herd immunity against Covid-19 by the end of July with concerted efforts by the people to get vaccinated, says Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) chairman Clarence Ting.
“We have up to today achieved more than 60 per cent of people vaccinated with first dose. In another two weeks, these first dose vaccinees will have their second dose,” he told reporters at the closing of the one-week Phase One of the Public-Private Partnership Covid-19 Industry Immunisation Programme (Pikas) at University College of Technology Sarawak (UCTS) here today.
Ting said if the international recognised standard of 70 per cent for a herd immunity is anything to go by then “we are very near.”
However more effort, he emphasised needed to be put in for the division to hit the target as the opening of the economy depends on the number of people vaccinated.
“I hope more companies will get their staff to be vaccinated as soon as possible. A lot of efforts are needed from each and everyone of us in Sibu.
“Get your friends and relatives to receive the jab. Every day when you call them the first question you should ask is; have you been vaccinated. Number Two; have your friends been vaccinated and Number Three; do you know of anyone who has not been vaccinated,” he said.
As chairman of SMC, Ting said he was very concerned that the local economy is affected during the Movement Control Order and hoped the vaccination rate would help reduce the number of daily positive cases to enable businesses to bounce back.
“We recorded 37 positive cases today. Let’s hope it will remain low. We haven’t seen this figure for months,” he added.
On the vaccination centre (PPV) at UCTS, he said the organiser, which is led by Pansar Holdings Bhd, has achieved almost 14,000 doses in one week.
Managing director of Pansar Holdings Berhad, Pemanca Datuk Jason Tai said Phase Two for the second dose will begin on July 19.
“We have just registered another 3,667 people and they will be jabbed this Thursday and Friday. Meantime the volunteers will take a break first,” he said.
Tai said they will also conduct mobile vaccination at oil palm plantations around the town to vaccinate the workers within this week. — DayakDaily
