Bernama file photo
SIBU (June 13): Sibu Divisional Disaster Management Committee (SDDMC) coordinator Dr Annuar Rapaee anticipates a spike in daily Covid-19 cases here next week.
He said the expected rise in cases stems primarily from the lax compliance with the standard operating procedure (SOP) during the Gawai celebration.
“Similar to what happened after Hari Raya Aidilfitri, we anticipate a surge in the number of daily Covid-19 cases, from 10 to 14 days after Gawai Dayak Celebration.
“It is also sad to note that for Week 23, the number of cases jumped to 488 from 467 in Week 22, which would have been a downward trend, had we been more disciplined in observing the SOP,” Dr Annuar, who is Assistant Minister of Local Government and Housing, said during his live Facebook streaming last night.
He said the number of daily cases in Sibu fluctuated, which was why it is important to follow the SOP.
The Nangka assemblyman did not discount the possibility of opening up more vaccination centres (PPV) here to cater for the on-going mass vaccination programme, when the need arises.
He named Sibu Civic Centre as a possible venue to be opened up.
“This month, we are receiving 33,447 doses of vaccines, of which 19,040 doses were received yesterday. Then, next month, we will be receiving 40,858 doses per week and eventually to 50,815 doses a week in August.
“The PPV at Sibu Indoor Stadium is capable of vaccinating between 1,600 and 2,000 individuals daily, while that in Sibu Jaya, can vaccinate between 600 and 800 people daily. Lanang and Sibu Jaya Health clinics are capable of vaccinating 200 people each on weekends.
“So, with more supply of vaccine coming in, we may open up Sibu Civic Centre as a PPV,” he said.
Dr Annuar also revealed that the medical team from Health office here is carrying an outreach programme to vaccine the rural folk.
“They have started to vaccinate the longhouse residents in Bawang Assan today,” he added.
He expressed confidence of getting some 190,000 Sibu folk vaccinated over the next 10 weeks with the steady shipment of vaccine here.
On the 149 cases recorded here yesterday, he said 62 cases came from Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) area and 87 cases from area under Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC).
From the 62 cases in SMC areas, Sukun/Lada zone has three, Mantis (1), Poh Yew (8), Tong Sang (2), Tiong Hua (6), Awang Ramli Amit (2), Kampung Dato (2), Delta (1), Sungai Antu (3), Rejang Park (2), Sentosa (4), Wong King Huo (3), Ding Lik Kong (2), Farley (3), Pulau Li Hua (2), Tunku Abdul Rahman (2), Permai (4), Jeriah (6), and Apollo (6).
As for 87 cases in SRDC areas, he said 12 cases came from Pasai Siong/Oya zone Menyan/Salim (26), Durin/Naman (8), KJD/Assan (9), Bawang Assan (1) and Batang Igan (7). Sibu Jaya has 24 cases.