Wuhan Virus
KUCHING: As of Monday (Feb 3), there have been a total of 32 suspected cases of Wuhan coronavirus in Sarawak, of which 24 have tested negative and eight are pending laboratory results.
Of the eight pending, six are in Kuching while one each are in Bintulu and Miri. Seven of the eight are Malaysians, while one of the cases in Kuching involves a China national.
“This means there is no positive cases of coronavirus in Sarawak thus far,” said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who is also State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) chairman.
According to him, testing for the novel coronavirus had started at the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) since Monday with the state’s purchase of blood test kits.
“So, we are not sending out the samples for testing anymore unless necessary. At the moment, samples are sent from Miri, Sibu, and Bintulu to Kuching for testing,” he said during a press conference following a JPBN meeting at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here today.
He said this meant results could be obtained in about 24 to 48 hours, quicker than if the samples had to be sent to Kuala Lumpur for testing.
“We are also purchasing more blood test kits, which we hope to supply to Sibu and Miri,” said Uggah.
