MIRI: Samling Group of Companies has donated a second polymerase chain reaction (PCR) machine to Miri Hospital towards boosting this division’s Covid-19 testing capacity.
“This is the second pcr machine donated by Samling after the first one in April to Miri Hospital PCR lab which was set up and operational end of April this year,” said Minister of Transport Datuk Lee Kim Shin.
He was met after witnessing the handing over ceremony held at Samling’s office at Jalan Brighton here.
Currently Miri Hospital laboratory is catering for Covid-19 rt-pcr test for the northern region comprising areas in Miri, Subis , Beluru, Marudi, Telang Usan, Limbang and Lawas with a daily capacity of approximately 200 test per day.
“Since the pcr lab at Miri hospital was set up in April 2020, a total of 42,291 swabs and rt-pcr tests have been performed for individuals in Miri division,” Lee explained.
They comprise travellers (35,289 or 83 percent); plantation sector (2,392 or 6 percent); Miri Prison inmates and personnel(1,104 or 3 percent); construction sector (647 or 2 percent); Immigration Detention Depot (894 or 2 percent);close contacts and symptomatic surveillance (1,158 or 3 percent); military personnel (417 or 1 percent); market hawkers (166 or 0.4 percent); fishermen (118 or 0.3 percent and reflexology and spa (106 or 0.3 percent).
Lee who is also Miri Division Disaster Management Committee (MDDC) minister-in-charge reminded members of the public to be always vigilant and continue to avoid the 3C (Crowded, Confined places and Close Conversation) and adopt 3W (Wash, Wear and Warn) strategies advocated by the Ministry of Health Malaysia.
