By Petronella Felix
KUCHING: It is pertinent to educate the rural people to seek medical assistance when they feel unwell, said Layar assemblyman Gerald Rentap Jabu.
He was commenting on the six fatalities recorded in Pusa on Saturday (Sept 18); four were brought-in-dead (BID) cases at the Betong Hospital.
Rentap said that most of the deaths happened because the victims did not seek early medical treatments or go for swab tests or contact the Covid Assessment Centres to seek medical attention.
“I believe the community may be thinking that they are fully immune to the virus because they are vaccinated. Therefore, it is important to educate our people to seek medical attention when they feel unwell,” he said.
Rentap said that the service centres in his constituent, Layar, had continuously educated the people on the importance of getting medical assistance during Covid-19.
“We are actively reminding our Ketua Kaum and community leaders to adhere to the standard operating procedures (SOPs), to get checked when they are unwell and to always maintain cleanliness,” said Rentap.
He added that the community policing programme by the district office as well as the info on wheels programme by Information Department (JaPen) were ongoing to keep the people on the alert during the pandemic.
Rentap advised the public to go for health screening should they inhibit symptoms of Covid-19 infection.
“Only early treatment can save lives. Most importantly, it is we ourselves who must care for our family, neighbours and community in order to fight this pandemic,” he said.
Sarawak recorded 10 fatalities on Saturday (Sept 18): six were from Pusa, three from Betong, and one in Sibu.
Rentap expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased.
“It is unfortunate that this happened. My condolences to the families,” he said.
