KUCHING: State Health director Datuk Dr Mohamed Sapian Mohamed has been urged to release data on the number or percentage of Covid-19 cases in Categories 1 and 2 which later deteriorate into Categories 4 and 5 after the initial point of reporting.
Social activist Voon Shiak Ni believed that the daily reporting of infections classified into Categories 1 and 2 was not reflective of the actual numbers and not helpful for public awareness.
“The daily reporting of the positive Covid-19 cases is good, but it would be more useful if there is an update regarding the data on the numbers in Categories 4 and 5,” she said.
She pointed out that some patients had progressed to Category 4 in a few days after initially being in Category 2.
“As the initial reporting of the daily cases may not reflect accurately the numbers in Categories 4 and 5, we urge the State Health director to let the public be informed so that the people can be more cautious.
“It is okay for people to be put on alert rather than to take things lightly, as battling the pandemic needs the concerted efforts of the community,” she explained.
In response to Dr Mohamed Sapian’s recent statement that brought-in-dead (BID) cases occur due to individuals not seeking medical help despite experiencing symptoms for days, Voon said the lack of information from the authorities also contributed to the individuals’ negligence in taking care of themselves.
She agreed that there were indeed people who did not go for tests despite exhibiting symptoms, taking for granted that it was just a mild illness until it was too late.
She noted that there were also patients who did not report to the Health Ministry (MoH), trying instead to treat their illness at home.
“All the more reason for the Sarawak health authority to call for people to be alert and extra cautious.
“Thus, it is vital to update the people on the real figures of patients in Categories 4 and 5 as well as provide updates on the occupancy of the Covid-19 wards and the intensive care unit (ICU) beds in the hospitals,” she said.
Voon also urged the State Health Department (JKNS) to revise the quarantine measures for high-risk groups in order to enable speedy detection of cases which deteriorate into Categories 4 and 5.
