KUCHING: Sarawak’s health machinery is fully geared to tackle the threat of the novel coronavirus Covid-19.
Facilities, strategies, logistics, doctors, nurses and other health workers have been put in place to combat any possible transmission.
State Disaster Management Committee chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said additional thermal scanners at Kuching International Airport, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri airports and ICQS Sungai Tujoh would be made available by the health department.
He said zore doctors and personnel, including those from other units and disciplines, were being trained to handle any situation.
“Their trainings have started since middle of last month.
“We have enough manpower and we now are focused on developing excellent team spirit among them,” he said when chairing a medical preparedness and logistics briefing here, yesterday.
The briefing was conducted by doctors and senior representatives from the State Health Department, Sarawak General Hospital, Institute of Community Medicine Unimas and State Security and Enforcement Unit.
Also present were Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Deputy State Secretary Datuk Ik Pahon Joyik and State Security and Enforcement Unit director Datu Dr Chai Khin Chung.
Uggah added that the planned quarantine centre at the State Public Health College, Kota Sentosa near here was also being readied — it can accommodate up to 90 patients.
On the delay in test results for suspected cases, he said Unimas (Universiti Malaysia Sarawak) was ready to collaborate with the State Health Department.
He added that plans were being made to send more health declaration forms for distribution at checkpoints on the Bruneian side to ease the long queue at the Sungai Tujoh, Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex.
The Deputy Chief Minister also advised the public to make personal hygiene their top priority at all times and to follow closely the advice given by the State Health Department.
He also reminded visitors to Sarawak to follow the guidelines of the Ministry of Health as well.
Meanwhile, nine new Patient under Investigation (PUI) cases were reported yesterday.
“They comprise five at Miri Hospital and four at Sarawak General Hospital. These bring the cumulative PUI cases reported from Jan 10 to Feb 12 to 76 statewide.
“To-date, 59 had tested negative while 17 are still awaiting test results,” he said.
The cases involved 57 Malaysians, 16 Chinese nationals, a Thai, an Indonesian and a Canadian.
The State Health Department had screened 5,350 arrivals at various airports, land and sea entry-exit points statewide yesterday but no PUI case was recorded.
