It said in its Covid-19 daily update that the death toll in the state had now increased to 195 and the cumulative number of infections was at 33,477 cases. – Bernama file photo
KUCHING (May 6): Sarawak recorded five Covid-19 fatalities along with 391 new cases today, said the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC).
It said in its Covid-19 daily update that the death toll in the state had now increased to 195 and the cumulative number of infections was at 33,477 cases.
The latest deaths were recorded in Bintangor, Sibu, Sarikei, Bintulu and Kuching.
“The death case in Bintangor involved a 44-year-old man who was rushed to a health clinic after he was found unconscious at home. An emergency cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) procedure was performed but the victim died at the clinic on May 2.
“A check on his health history found that he had cough and fever three days prior. The case also experienced chest discomfort and shortness of breath that afternoon,” said the committee.
It noted the victim, who had comorbidities of diabetes and hypertension, was found positive for Covid-19 on May 2 through the Rapid Antigen Test and swab for molecular rapid test.
On the death case in Sibu, SDMC said the victim was a 79-year-old man who had sought emergency treatment at Sibu Hospital after suffering from shortness of breath.
“Based on his health history, he was found to have a cough and poor appetite a few days ago.
“He was swabbed using the Rapid Antigen Test and RT-PCR Test which returned positive on April 29. He passed away on May 5 after his health condition deteriorated,” it said, adding that the victim had a history of comorbidities namely lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia.
It said the 193rd death case was also treated for shortness of breath.
“The 75-year-old man sought treatment at Sarikei Hospital where he was found to have fever and cough as well.
“He was found positive on May 3 after he was swabbed using the rapid molecular test. He died on May 5 after his health condition deteriorated,” it said.
It added that the victim had a history of comorbidities namely hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic kidney disease.
A 71-year-old man was the state’s 194th fatality, said SDMC, noting that the victim sought treatment at Bintulu Hospital for shortness of breath and was also found to be unresponsive by his family members.
“A CPR was performed but he died on May 5. His RT-PCR test was found positive on the same day.
“The victim also had comorbidities namely diabetes, hypertension and chronic kidney disease,” it said.
The death case in Kuching involved a 79-year-old woman who was admitted to Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) as a result of close contact screening to a positive case among family members.
“Her RT-PCR test returned positive on April 24 and she passed away on May 5 after her health deteriorated,” said the committee, adding that the victim had heart disease.
On the new cases, SDMC said that 252 cases or 64.45 per cent were detected in Sibu, Bintulu, Miri, Kapit and Kuching districts.
“Sibu recorded the highest number of cases with 88 followed by Bintulu (55), Miri (50), Kapit (33), Kuching (26), Selangau (23), Sri Aman (19), Samarahan (11), Kanowit (11), Sarikei (10) and Mukah (10).
“There were also 14 districts which recorded single-digit cases namely Pakan (8), Julau (7), Subis (6), Serian (6), Meradong (5), Tebedu (5), Bau (4), Sebauh (3), Tatau (3), Song (3), Saratok (2), and one case each in Betong, Daro and Belaga,” it said.
It also said that 58 individuals out of the 391 cases had shown signs and symptoms of Covid-19 infection when screenings were conducted.
“There were also 308 cases detected from individuals who were instructed to be quarantined at quarantine centres,” it said.
In summary, it said the cases consisted of 256 cases which were detected from screenings of individuals with contact to positive cases; 51 cases from screenings of individuals from existing active clusters; 48 cases from other screening at health facilities; 35 cases from screenings of symptomatic individuals at health facilities; and one Import B case involving an individual who had returned from another state in the country.
Meanwhile, SDMC said 398 cases had recovered today of which 155 were discharged from Sibu Hospital and the quarantine and low-risk patients treatment centre (PKRC) in Sibu; 59 from SGH and PKRC under SGH; 57 from Miri Hospital and PKRC under Miri Hospital; 30 from Sarikei Hospital and PKRC under Sarikei Hospital; 27 from PKRC Serian; 23 from Kapit Hospital and PKRC under Kapit Hospital; 22 from Bintulu Hospital and PKRC under Bintulu Hospital; 15 from PKRC Mukah; five from PKRC Betong and five from Sri Aman Hospital.
“The total number of recoveries in the state have now increased to 26,916 or 80.4 per cent out of the overall cases,” it said.
It also said that 6,288 patients were still being isolated and treated at hospitals and PKRCs throughout the state, where 1,494 were being treated at Bintulu Hospital; 1,132 at Sibu Hospital and PKRC Sibu; 976 at Kapit Hospital and PKRC Kapit; 870 at SGH; 791 at Miri Hospital; 343 at Sarikei Hospital; 304 at PKRC Mukah; 161 at PKRC Serian; 119 at Sri Aman Hospital; 67 at PKRC Betong; 19 at Limbang Hospital; six at Sri Aman Prison PKRC; five at Semuja Immigration Depo PKRC in Serian; and one at PKRC Lawas.
A total of 396 new person under investigation (PUI) cases were also reported with none pending lab test result.