LIMBANG: The increase in the number of positive Covid-19 cases here has been attributed to the spread of the Delta variant and the people’s lax attitude towards the virus.
The Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) in its report on Tuesday (Sept 21) noted that from the end of August until now, the average number of Covid-19 cases reported in this division had increased to between 30 and 40 cases per day.
“Our vaccination rate at this time is already high among those who are eligible and 18 years and above, but there are a few in the community who do not comply with the standard operating procedure (SOP),” said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan to the media after the handover of Raspberry Pi computers to primary schools in this district last Sunday (Sept 19).
“We are now in the third phase (of the National Recovery Plan) whereby more sectors are allowed to reopen including the economic sectors in stages as well as other social activities.
“This attitude among the community of non-compliance with the SOP has resulted in the spread of the virus, especially on top of the presence of the Delta variant.”
He pointed out that over 90 percent of positive Covid-19 cases recorded in Limbang Division were in Categories 1 and 2.
Awang Tengah also said that the Covid-19 Assessment Centre (CAC) here had been opened to handle the increase in cases in Limbang District.
“This centre has been operating at the Limbang Indoor Stadium starting Sept 9, with operating hours from 8am until 5pm including weekends and public holidays.
“It is intended for us to monitor those who are quarantined at home and who do not have symptoms. If such persons need to be treated at the Quarantine and Low-Risk Treatment Centre (PKRC), we will transfer them there,” he said.
To date, Limbang District has vaccinated 31,053 persons or 91.7 percent of its population aged 18 years and above with the first dose of the vaccine, and 30,686 such persons or 90.7 percent with the second dose.
Meanwhile, for those aged 16 and 17 years and schooling, a total of 1,408 or 95.1 percent has been vaccinated. Including those of this age but who are not schooling, this makes up a total of 1,515 persons or 99.7 percent.
Earlier that morning, Awang Tengah chaired the Limbang Divisional Disaster Management Committee meeting and listened to a briefing regarding the latest report on the development of Covid-19 cases and the immunisation programme in Limbang District as of Sept 18.
