S'wak appoints taskforces led by medical experts to combat Covid-19

KUCHING: Sarawak has appointed four taskforces headed by medical experts to strengthen efforts to combat Covid-19 in the state.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah said the taskforces, which would report to the state disaster management committee, would look at accelerating the flattening of the Covid-19 curve, preventing and controlling the next wave, preparedness plan for a big wave and real-time analysis of Covid-19 data.

He said the taskforce on flattening the curve would be headed by former state health director Dr Jamilah Hashim, while another former health director Prof Datuk Dr Andrew Kiyu would lead the taskforces on preventing the next wave and data analysis.

Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian will head the taskforce on the preparedness plan, which will also include senior medical officers from the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH).

"We need expert views and proposals on Covid-19, then the state government will decide on the direction and action to be taken.

"For example, one of the taskforces will be able to advise us whether we need to prepare field hospitals," Uggah said at the state disaster management committee's media briefing here on Tuesday (April 14).

Giving another example, he said expert advice was needed on curbing the spread of Covid-19 in the red zones of Kuching and Kota Samarahan.

"Within Kuching, not every area is red. There are pockets of red areas, so what should we do in these areas to stop the spread of the disease?

"That's why we need studies and expert advice on all these matters. The taskforces appointed will strengthen the committee's strategy in overcoming this unprecedented crisis," he said.

On Covid-19, Uggah said Sarawak recorded 15 new cases on Tuesday to bring the state's tally to 363 cases.

All the new cases were being treated at SGH, he said.