Uggah: Covid-19 cases up in Sarawak due to people attending funerals, weddings, gambling and cock-fighting activities

KUCHING: Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah reminded Sarawakians to avoid social gatherings and comply with Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOP) as the state reported 220 new cases on Monday (March 1).

He added the number of cases had remained high of late because of the failure of some people to adhere to the SOP, particularly at social gatherings.

"Several clusters have emerged from social gatherings, where those affected were involved in funerals, weddings, gambling and cock-fighting activities.

"These social activities sometimes involve inter-district travel and movement from red zones to other zones, causing the disease to spread," he said at the state disaster management committee's briefing here on Monday (March 1).

He appealed to the public to strictly observe the SOP, including wearing face masks and practising physical distancing.

"You comply with the SOP not because you are scared of getting fined by the police, but to keep yourself safe," he added.

Of the new cases, Uggah said Bintulu district recorded the highest number of cases with 57, followed by Sibu (54), Miri (37), Kapit (20), Kuching (12) and Julau (10).

Other districts which reported cases were Dalat (eight), Sarikei and Meradong (five each), Betong (four), Song (two) and Subis, Bau, Mukah, Samarahan, Bukit Mabong and Selangau with one each, taking the state's tally of confirmed cases to 9,765.

Uggah also said 26 clusters remained active in the state, of which six reported new cases.

However, he said the Bedayan cluster in Serian has now ended after no new cases were detected in 28 days since the last case was reported.