SIBU: Raya gatherings at two places in Kuching contributed to the spike in 663 new Covid-19 cases reported in Sarawak on Sunday (May 23).
The two Raya gatherings are among the four new clusters detected. Three deaths were reported.
The State Disaster Management Committee in a statement said the Taman Sourabaya Indah cluster saw nine cases from 34 individuals screened.
“On May 13,34 people from five families gathered at the index case residence to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Nine of them were tested positive with the disease,” it said.
The second cluster, which involved Raya gathering, was Jalan Jambatan Gantung.
The index case had visited a few houses in Kuching. Subsequently, nine people were found positive.
The committee said the Sungai Majau cluster in Kanowit involved a longhouse in Nanga Setapang, Sungai Majau where 26 residents tested positive.
Another cluster, the Bukit Temedak cluster, Pakan also involved a longhouse in Merampu, Bukit Temedak. From a total of 88 individuals screened, 30 were found positive.
Of the three deaths, two of them were reported at Sibu Hospital and another in Bintulu Hospital.
“The first death in Sibu involved a 64-year-old man who was initially referred to a quarantine and low-risk treatment centre. He was found positive on May 1 and transferred to Sibu Hospital.
The health condition worsened and he passed away on May 22. He had hypertension,” it said.
The second death in Sibu Hospital involved a 68-year-old man who was earlier treated for cough, weakness and no appetite for food.
An RT-PCR test confirmed the case was positive and he died on May 22. He had comorbidities of diabetes, dyslipidemia, chronic liver illness and kidney failure.
The death in Bintulu Hospital involved a 73-year-old woman who had a fever, lack of appetite and body weakness. She was tested positive on May 9. She succumbed to the disease on May 21.
Of the 663 new cases, Sibu contributed the most with 112 cases followed by Kuching (105), Miri (103), Belaga (43), Bintulu (37), Serian (29), Betong (29), Selangau (26), Pakan (23), Samarahan (22), Mukah (16), Kapit (15), Tanjung Manis (15), Sarikei (14), Subis (11), Sri Aman (10), Lawas (nine), Bau (eight), Kanowit (seven), Song (six), Pusa (four), Meradong (three), Julau (three), Beluru (three), Tatau (two), Tebedu (two), Asajaya (two), Marudi (one), Bukit Mabong (one), Dalat (one) and Simunjan (one).
