Close Contact Tracing & SOP Flouters Among Causes For Rising Covid-19 Cases In Sarawak

As of 12 September, Malaysia recorded 19,198 new Covid-19 cases, with Sarawak maintaining the highest number of new cases where 5,291 cases were recorded, as reported by State Disaster Management Committee.

Professor Madya Dr Malina Osman, the public health expert from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) said that apart from the rampaging Delta variant, the non-compliance of the SOPs have also contributed to the skyrocketing numbers in the state recently. She received some reports from the field of people flouting SOPs in specific areas of Sarawak.

Major screenings have also been conducted not just within the close contacts, but also every contact that is related to Covid-19 cases, according to Astro Awani.

In the meantime, Dr Malina added that people should not jump to conclusions and decide that the ineffectiveness of the vaccines is one of the major causes of the growing numbers in Sarawak.

“The conditions in Klang Valley and Sarawak are different in terms of increasing numbers, so we don’t have the supporting data to show that the vaccines are ineffective.”

However, 99.9% of the reported cases in Sarawak are under Category One and Two. Hence, the infections are not as serious and some are asymptomatic.

“We find that the healthcare system in Klang Valley (when there was a spike in cases) was affected but in Sarawak, the healthcare system is not affected as 99% of the cases are asymptomatic and not severe.”

According to another report by Astro Awani, the high amount of samples in the state have also burdened the capacity of the existing labs by taking more time than usual to obtain the results of the tests.

Always keep in mind that SOPs are meant to be complied with wherever we are, and regardless if we are fully vaccinated or not.

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Also read: “The vaccinated are better protected” Almost 98% Of New Covid-19 Cases Are Category 1 & 2