SEVEN offshore workers, found positive for Covid-19 before flying to their offshore platform, were among the 96 new cases reported in Miri in the last 48 hours.

The state disaster management committee today said the seven, who were to “sign on” for their offshore rig today, tested positive while undergoing mandatory quarantine at the Offshore Transit Centre (OTC).

All seven are currently asymptomatic.

The infections are now under investigation and an active case detection exercise is underway to identify, screen and quarantine all the people the offshore workers have been in close contact with.

Sarawak recorded 512 new cases today and the 96 in Miri placed the district at the top of the state’s list of affected districts.

The disaster committee said 68.95% or 353 cases were in the state’s most populous districts – Bintulu (91), Sibu (69), Kapit (51), Kuching (46) – apart from Miri.

Five people also died of Covid-19 today, pushing the state’s toll to 230.

Three are from the Rajang riverine town of Kapit – a 64-year-old and a pair of 73-year-olds, while the other two – a 51-year-old and a 71-year-old, both females – were from Sibu.

Health authorities, who have said the beds in the intensive care units (ICU) in Covid-19 designated hospitals in the state are already full, will have more cause for concern as the number of new cases today was more than the 409 that were discharged.

The state’s disaster management committee said there are now 6,473 people warded in hospitals and special quarantine and low-risk treatment centres as of today. – May 18, 2021.