Two more cases, new cluster from engineering company
KUCHING: Sarawak recorded two new positive Covid-19 cases in Kuching today (July 12), bringing the total number of positive cases in the state to 579.
Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC), in a statement, said that the 578th case was a local 44-year-old woman who underwent a screening at Borneo Medical Centre (BMC) Kuching on Saturday (July 11).
“Further investigation on the laboratory result for rT-PCR Covid-19 the next day found that her nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swab tests were positive for Covid-19.
“Contact tracing is underway and the cause of the infection is still under investigation,” it said.
Meanwhile, the 579th case was a local man who was a close contact and colleague of the 575th case.
He, too, underwent screening at BMC Kuching on Saturday (July 11) and his rT-PCR swab test the next day returned positive for Covid-19.
Both cases did not show any signs and symptoms. They were referred and admitted to the isolation ward of Sarawak General Hospital (SGH).
SDMC pointed out that the tracing of Case 579th had created a new cluster at workplace. As of today, two cases tested positive for the Covid-19 — Kuching Engineering Company Cluster.
The cluster was first detected on July 7 when the 575th case tested positive. The case was a local draughtswoman who had dry cough on June 27 but only sought treatment on July 7 due to chest pain and tuberculosis.
Fifteen people have been traced as contacts so far and one of them (case 579th) who worked on the same floor tested positive. The contact tracing is still ongoing involving all company staff and family members of the case.
“Infection control and prevention are in full swing to identify all contacts to be screened for Covid-19,” SDMC added.
It also revealed that there was no new recovery case, bringing the total number of Covid-19 cases which had recovered and discharged to 552, or 95.34 percent.
“At present, there are nine cases undergoing treatment at hospitals while the total Covid-19 deaths in Sarawak remains at 18 or 3.11 percent,” it said.
Apart from that, 45 new person under investigation (PUI) cases were reported while five cases were still awaiting laboratory result.
Six Ops Benteng Covid roadblocks were set up in five districts, namely Lundu (2) and one each in Bau, Serian, Sri Aman and Lubok Antu while a total of 742 vehicles were inspected on Sunday (July 12).
For enquiries on Covid-19 matters, the following numbers can be contacted: 082-443 991, 082-513 340, 082-649 813, 082-536 512 and 082-646 634.
