KUCHING: Four new positive cases of Covid-19 were recorded in Sarawak today (Sept 30), bringing the state’s cumulative total to 713.
State Disaster Management Committee chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said two cases each were detected in Miri and Kuching; all came from other states in the country.
“Case 710 is a local woman who recently returned from Kuala Lumpur to Sarawak via Miri Airport on Sept 28. She had been visiting Kuala Lumpur since Sept 23.
“On arrival at Miri Airport, the case underwent a random rT-PCR Covid-19 screening for passengers and her rT-PCR test sample taken on Sept 28 was found to be positive for Covid-19.
“She did not show any signs and symptoms of Covid-19 infection and was admitted to Miri Hospital for further treatment today. Tracking of close contacts is being done including flight contacts and case contacts while in Kuala Lumpur,” said Uggah when delivering SDMC’s Covid-19 update on Wednesday (Sept 30).
Uggah said case 711 involved a local student at a skills institute in Miri who recently returned from Papar, Sabah.
“The case entered Sarawak by plane from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah to Miri, and Sarawak on Sept 28 and underwent rT-PCR test for Covid-19 on Sept 24 in Sabah prior to entering Sarawak. The result for the screening was negative.
“On arrival at Miri Airport, the case underwent a repeat rT-PCR screening. The case was also ordered to undergo a 14-day home quarantine.
“The result of the screening test conducted on Sept 28 was found to be positive for Covid-19. Investigation also found that the case had flu on Sept 24. Contact tracing is underway.”
Uggah revealed that case 712 was a security guard who had just returned after being instructed to work in Sabah during the Sabah State Election (PRN).
He said the case, along with other team members, left in the morning of Sept 25 and returned to Sarawak using a special flight through the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Airbase in Kuching on Sept 28.
“All the team members were instructed to undergo quarantine for 14 days and rT-PCR screening on the second and 10th days (of quarantine).
“From the screening test on the second day (Sept 29, the case was found to be Covid-19 positive. The case, which did not show any signs and symptoms of Covid-19 infection, was referred to the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) for further treatment today (Sept 30).
“To date, a total of 501 security personnel returning from Sabah after serving there had undergone rT-PCR screening for their first screening,” he revealed.
Uggah also revealed that case 713 involved a trainee of the Health Ministry Training Institute (ILKKM) who had returned from Menggatal, Sabah for a holiday.
He added the case entered Sarawak on Sept 27 from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah via Kuching International Airport (KIA).
“The case underwent an rT-PCR test on Sept 22 in Sabah before entering Sarawak and the test result for the screening was negative. On arrival at KIA, the case underwent a repeat rT-PCR screening and was also ordered to undergo 14-day home quarantine.
“The screening test conducted on Sept 27 found the case to be positive for Covid-19. The result of the investigation also found that this case did not show signs and symptoms of Covid-19 infection. Contact tracking is underway,” he added.
Uggah said that there was also no active cluster in the state as of now.
He said 12 individuals were still receiving treatment at hospital isolation wards, namely six in the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH), five in Miri Hospital (five) and one in Bintulu Hospital.
Fourteen new persons under investigation (PUIs) were reported while one was currently awaiting laboratory test results.
