[ad_1]
KUCHING: Public gatherings are the main factor behind the increase in Covid-19 cases and clusters in Sarawak this year, says state Health Director Dr. Chin Zin Hing.
He said a Health Department analysis indicated that funerals contributed to four groups ranging from 25 to 2,000 cases each, while social gatherings led to 11 groups with 17 to 61 cases each.
There are also five workplace clusters with 10 to 35 cases each and a wedding cluster with 187 cases.
“We need everyone’s cooperation to avoid large gatherings that have a high risk of spreading Covid-19,” Dr. Chin said in a statement on Friday (February 26).
He said failure to adhere to standard operating procedures (SOPs), such as the use of face masks, physical distancing and hand hygiene, also contributed to the emergence of these new groups.
“The virus is already in the community. It spreads in crowded places, confined spaces and close conversations,” he said, urging the public to continue to comply with the SOP.
Meanwhile, the state disaster management committee said Sarawak reported 250 new cases on Friday, as well as two deaths.
The latest deaths were a 59-year-old man who died at Sarawak General Hospital on February 24 after receiving emergency treatment at Betong Hospital; and a 54-year-old man who died at Bintulu Hospital on February 26.
Both cases had comorbidities of diabetes and hypertension.
This brings the death toll in the state to 80, while the confirmed case count now stands at 9,119.
Of the new cases, Sibu district reported the highest number with 104, followed by Kuching (43), Kapit (39), Meradong (13), Bintulu (10), Betong (nine), Miri (eight), Samarahan (four), Sebauh and Subis (three each), Julau, Dalat, Beluru, Selangau and Bau (two each) and Asajaya, Serian, Saratok and Song (one each).
The committee added that 26 groups remained active in the state, seven of the new cases reported.
[ad_2]
