A resident undergoes swab test during an active case detection session. – File photo
KUCHING (April 20): Sarawak recorded the highest number of Covid-19 cases in the country for the second consecutive day with 600 cases and one fatality today, said State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
He said Bintulu topped the list with 110 cases followed by Sibu (98), Kuching (83), Meradong (54), Kapit (41), Tatau (38), Mukah (31), Sarikei (25), Miri (24), Song (20), Kanowit (13), Serian (10) and Betong (10).
“Nine districts registered single-digit cases and they are Beluru (7), Selangau (6), Subis (6), Kabong (6), Marudi (5), Samarahan (5), Saratok (4), Pakan (3) and Julau (1).
“The total number of positive cases in the state now stands at 25,126,” he told a press conference.
He said the latest death case, which was recorded in Sarikei, brings the total Covid-19 death tally in the state to 141.
“The deceased was a 74-year-old Sarawakian man who was admitted to Sarikei Hospital after experiencing symptoms of fever for the past few days. He was also given respiratory assistance as he had trouble breathing.
“An RT-PCR test was conducted and he was found positive on April 14. His health condition deteriorated and he passed away on April 19,” he said, adding that the victim had a history of comorbidities namely hypertension, dyslipidemia, anemia, and end-stage renal disease.
On the new cases, Uggah said only 73 individuals out of the 600 new cases had shown signs and symptoms of Covid-19 infection when screenings were conducted.
“There were also 544 cases detected from individuals who were instructed to be quarantined at quarantine centres,” he said.
On the cases’ breakdown, he said 425 cases were from screenings of individuals with contact to positive cases; 116 cases from existing active clusters; 37 cases from screenings of symptomatic individuals at health facilities; and 19 cases from other screening at health facilities.
“The new cases also included two Import B cases involving individuals who had returned from other states in the country and an Import A case involving an individual who had returned from India,” he added.
The Deputy Chief Minister said all cases recorded in Bintulu, Beluru, Subis, Kabong, Samarahan, Marudi, and Julau were traced from screenings of contacts to positive cases.
“In Sibu, 57 of its cases were from screenings of contacts to positive cases; 13 from screenings of symptomatic individuals; nine from Jalan Disa Cluster; seven from Bulatan Aman Cluster; six from Jalan Ding Lim Kwong Cluster; and six from other screenings.
“In Kuching, a majority of its cases were detected from screenings of contacts to positive cases (64); eight from screenings of symptomatic individuals; seven from other screenings; two from the Jalan Puncak Borneo Cluster; and one Import A and Import B case,” he said.
He said Meradong recorded 47 cases which were linked to the Sungai Rian Cluster, three from Sungai Kawi Cluster, three from screenings of contacts to positive cases; and one from screenings of symptomatic individuals while Kapit recorded 37 from screenings of contacts to positive cases, two from screenings of symptomatic individuals and another two from other screenings.
“Tatau’s cases were all detected from screenings of contacts to positive cases with the exception of one case which was linked to the Sungai Selitut Cluster.
“In Mukah, 16 were from the Jalan Bambangan Cluster, 12 from Sungai Duan Cluster, two from screenings of contacts to positive cases and one from screenings of symptomatic individuals,” he said.
He said Sarikei’s cases were mainly from screenings of contacts to positive cases (20), three from screenings of symptomatic individuals, one from the Jalan Baji Cluster and one from other screenings.
“Miri recorded 17 cases from screenings of contacts to positive cases, five from screenings of symptomatic individuals, and two from other screenings while Song registered 18 from screenings of contacts to positive cases, one Import B case and one from other screenings,” he said.
He said Kanowit had recorded 12 cases from screenings of contacts to positive cases and one from screenings of symptomatic individuals whereas Serian had five cases from screenings of contacts to positive cases, four from the Tarat Tani Cluster and one from screenings of symptomatic individuals.
“In Betong, six cases were traced from screenings of contacts to positive cases and four from the Kampung Tengah Betong Cluster while Selangau recorded five from screenings of contacts to positive cases and one from screenings of symptomatic individuals,” he said.
He said Saratok’s cases were linked to two clusters namely the Disso Cluster (3) and Tembok Sri Aman Cluster (1) while in Pakan, two were from screenings of contacts to positive cases and one from screenings of symptomatic individuals.
Meanwhile, Uggah said 521 had recovered today of which 260 were discharged from the quarantine and low-risk patients treatment centre (PKRC) of Sri Aman Prison; 75 from PKRC under Sibu Hospital; 39 from Sarawak General Hospital (SGH); 36 from PKRC under Miri Hospital; 33 from Sarikei Hospital; 32 from PKRC Betong; 30 from PKRC under Kapit Hospital; seven from PKRC Mukah; six from Sri Aman Hospital; two from Bintulu Hospital; and one from PKRC Serian.
“The total number of recoveries in the state have now increased to 19,227 or 76.51 per cent out of the overall cases,” he said.
He also said that 5,695 patients were still being isolated and treated at hospitals and PKRCs throughout the state, where 1,427 were being treated at Bintulu Hospital and PKRC Bintulu; 1,178 at Sibu Hospital and PKRC Sibu; 948 at SGH; 748 at Miri Hospital; 364 at Kapit Hospital and PKRC Kapit; 356 at Sarikei Hospital; 353 at PKRC Mukah; 117 at PKRC Serian; 73 at PKRC Betong; 71 at PKRC Sri Aman Prison; 48 at Sri Aman Hospital; seven at Limbang Hospital and five at Semuja Immigration Depo PKRC in Serian.
A total of 596 new person under investigation (PUI) cases were also reported with five pending lab test results.
Also present at the press conference were Local Government and Housing Minister Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian and State Health director Dr Chin Zin Hing.