A local 11-year-old boy had died on March 11 at Miri Hospital due to severe Influenza A that caused multiple organ failure. – Bernama file photo
MIRI: A local 11-year-old boy had died on March 11 at Miri Hospital due to severe Influenza A that caused multiple organ failure, and not the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19), said Sarawak Health Department director Dr Chin Zin Hing.
He explained that boy had received treatment at Miri Hospital on March 8 and admitted to the Intensive Care Unit the same day.
“The case has had high fever, cough, vomiting and shortness of breath since March 5. The case has no history of overseas visitation or contact history with any Covid-19 cases.
“In fact, laboratory results for the Covid-19 infection screening test that had been carried out twice on the case on March 9 and 10 were also found to be negative
“The death case was not caused by Covid-19,” Dr Chin said in a press statement today in responding to queries from reporters.
He said the boy was pronounced dead at 5.45am on March 11 at Miri Hospital.
“The State Health Department wishes to express condolences to the late family,” he added.
In this regard, the department reiterated that there have been no confirmed cases of Covid-19 at Miri Hospital, or in Sarawak, as of today (March 12).