KUCHING: Positive Covid-19 cases are on the upward trend in the state and in the country.
State Disaster Management Committee chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said one new positive case had been registered, bringing the total positive cases to 51 since a week ago on March 13 when the very first three cases were reported.
He said as of yesterday, the state had recorded a total of 683 Person Under Investigation (PUI) cases of which 292 tested negative while 340 are awaiting laboratory test results.
“Statistics in Malaya had now surged to 790 cases as of yesterday. It was reported, too, that close to 75 percent of the cases there (Malaya) are related to the Masjid Jamek Sri Petaling gathering.
“In Sarawak, most of its cases imported — it is for this reason that one of the preventive measures is for the people to shun crowded places,” he said in a statement.
“That is why the movement control order is now coming into force. That is why we do not want people from the cities or towns to rush home to their longhouses or villages in rural areas.
“We also do not want big crowd in coffeshops, restaurants, airports, bus and so forth,” Uggah added.
He stressed Covid-19 could spread easily in such a situation, especially if someone in the crowd was already affected.
“I would again like advise those with fever, coughing or respiratory problems to go to the nearest health department or hospital for screening.
“To all I would again like to repeat my advice for them to observe stringent personal hygiene like frequently washing one’s hands with soap and water or hand sanitiser, practising social distancing and avoiding crowded places.
“Do stay away from those showing symptoms of infection,” he said.
Uggah also said people who needed to observe the 14-day home quarantine should fully do so with full commitment.
