KOTA KINABALU: A lockdown in Kota Kinabalu can be staved off as long as the number Covid-19 cases does not increase drastically, says Sabah’s newly-minted Deputy Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.
Bung, who is also state Public Works Minister, said mitigating the pandemic in Sabah will be the top priority for the new state administration.
“The Kota Kinabalu (KK) area is becoming a red zone, there’s even proposed lockdown for the whole of KK, so our big challenge is Covid-19.
“Hopefully it will not spread to other districts and it can be managed and under control, ” he told reporters after clocking in on his first day at the ministry office on Wednesday (Sept 30).
Bung added that the lockdown proposal was from health officials’ recommendation should things get worse, but if it can be mitigated, the state would not resort to it.
Currently, a targeted enhanced movement control order (MCO) is being enforced at four districts in Sabah’s east coast: Lahad Datu, Tawau, Kunak and Semporna.
As at Tuesday (Sept 29), Kota Kinabalu district has recorded six new cases, bringing the total to 98 cases.
Sabah Health Director Datuk Dr Christina Rundi explained that at present, the state capital is still a yellow zone.
“We use the period of 14 days, meaning the number of cases over a period of 14 days. This period moves every day, also known as the ’14-day moving chart’.
“So, if over the past 14 days, we have between one to 40 cases, the zone is yellow. If there are more than 40, then it becomes red zone.
“Looking at the numbers for KK, it is red because of cumulative cases – meaning the number of cases from Day One of the pandemic, but it is yellow for the total number of new cases over 14 days, ” she said, adding that it is the same case with Sandakan which is now a yellow zone.
As at Sept 29, there are 925 positive cases being treated throughout Sabah.
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