Covid-19: Sabah yet to discuss possible new restrictions after spike in cases

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has yet to discuss the possibility of more social or movement restrictions in the state in view of the hike in Covid-19 cases, says Datuk Shahelmy Yahya.

The Sabah Community Development and People's Well-being Minister said, "not yet" when asked if more restrictions would be imposed after a spike in cases that led to more than 2,000 new Covid-19 cases detected in the state on Tuesday (Feb 8).

He said this after visiting the Women and Children’s Hospital in Likas to check on the vaccinations for children here on Wednesday (Feb 9).

On the vaccination of children, he said though the number was still low, there was a gradual daily increase as compared to the first day of the programme earlier in the month.

“On the first day of the programme, only 20 children under the age of 12 took their shots in this hospital but after that, we have had 50 to 60 children getting their Covid-19 vaccinations daily,” Shahelmy said.

He said these were all walk-in vaccinations.

“Parents can choose to just walk-in and bring their children to receive their jabs or register via MySejahtera and wait for the appointment,” he said.

Shahelmy said parents who have yet to receive their booster shots against Covid-19 will be given the jabs when they bring their children for their vaccinations.

He said although the booster shot was optional, adults are encouraged to take them for safety’s sake as having the booster shot was one way to increase immunity against Covid-19, especially with the Omicron wave now prevalent, which is a faster spreading variant of the coronavirus.

Shahelmy also said that schools might be used as vaccination centres for students soon to boost the vaccination rate in Sabah.

Shahelmy reminded those who have not received their booster shots by March to do so or risk having their vaccination status being declared void.

Recently, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said some 4.5 million people, including those who received the Sinovac vaccine for their first two doses, will lose their “fully vaccinated” status if they do not get their booster shots before March 1.

He said this number comprised one million senior citizens aged 60 and above, and 3.5 million others who received the Sinovac vaccine and want it as their booster shot as well.