KUCHING: Sarawak recorded the highest number of new cases in the country with 407 positive Covid-19 cases and one death due to the virus today.
The previous highest figure of positive cases in the state was reported on Feb 24, with 353 cases.
Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said this brings the state’s tally to 13,820 cases, while the Covid-19 related death has increased to 96.
“The 96th death was Case 9,349 which involved a 55-year-old local man who was tested positive on Feb 27 through active case detection (ACD) in high-risked areas.
“The case has no other comorbidity and received treatment in Sibu Hospital. However his health deteriorated and was pronounced dead on Mar 18,” he said in a press conference on the daily Covid-19 update at the Old State Legislative Assembly (DUN) building today.
On the total positive cases, Uggah said Serian recorded the highest with 140 cases, followed by Sibu (65), Miri (49), Betong (40), Bintulu (26), Sri Aman (23), Kuching (19), Samarahan (11), Kapit (10), Song (six), Subis (five), Meradong (four), Lundu (three), two cases each in Julau and Kanowit, and one case each in Dalat and Limbang.
“Out of the 407 cases, 138 involved detainees at the Semuja Immigration Depot, in Serian.
“This area is a controlled and closed area. All of them are being placed at the Covid-19 Low Risk Quarantine and Treatment Centre (PKRC) Semuja detention depot, Serian,” he said.
Summarising the cases, Uggah said 221 involved screenings of persons in existing active clusters with five detected symptomatic, 161 were screenings of individuals who had contact with positive cases with 15 of them showing symptoms, six were symptomatic cases screened at health facilities, and 19 were other screenings at health facilities with two detected symptomatic.
“With today’s cases, I therefore appeal to the people to continue to remain vigilant, follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs). Look after your health and those around you,” he said.
He added there were 411 new person-under-investigations (PUIs), with non waiting for laboratory results.
