KUCHING: Employers should show sympathy and concern to daily paid workers and help this group financially in the event that they fall sick due to Covid-19.
Otherwise, said Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) advisor Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, they would be compelled to turn up for work despite being infected.
“This will put your staff, yourself and the whole business, not only potentially being locked down, but also transmit Covid-19 to you and family,” he said in a Facebook post last Thursday.
Dr Sim said recently, it was found that Covid-19 was spread at workplaces, adding that it was crucial for those with mild symptoms such as loss of taste and smell to get themselves tested.
Referring to a case in Miri where infections started from a workplace, he said it affected the whole family as well as young children.
“Bintulu had high numbers of cases who are symptomatic. This means there are those who have no symptoms or mild symptoms not being diagnosed.
“This is unless there is a new variant, which we will need Universiti Malaysia Sarawak for a viral genetic study.”
On Thursday, Sarawak recorded one fatality and 211 new cases, said SDMC.
The latest death was an 83-year-old Sarawakian woman, who treated at Miri Hospital after experiencing fever and shortness of breath.
“The victim’s RT-PCR test was positive on March 28. Her health condition deteriorated and she passed away on April 7. She had a history of hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia.”
The state’s Covid-19 death toll now stands at 117.
