THE Health Ministry’s data on Covid-19 impact in Sarawak makes grim reading, showing that the number of new infections in the state in the past two weeks was 13.5 per 1,000 people – the most infectious state in the country. 

The next closest state is Kelantan, which registered 8.6 cases per 1,000 people. Penang registered 8.4 while Terengganu, 7.8. 

All of Sarawak’s most populated districts – Kuching, Miri, Sibu and Bintulu – lead the way in the number of daily new infections with Kuching registering 899 of the 2,121 cases today. 

Miri had 200 cases; Sibu, 153; and Bintulu, 88. 

However, 99.39% of the cases as reported today were in category one (no symptoms) or two (mild symptoms). 

Reflecting that trend, 83.3% of those infected were ordered to undergo home quarantine, 13.3% sent to Covid-19 low-risk quarantine and treatment centres and only 3.1% were hospitalised. 

The statistics shows that of those who were hospitalised, there were 47 cases requiring ventilation in the intensive care unit (ICU) or a 48% utilisation of beds. 

The statistics includes bed utilisation for non-Covid-19 cases “in order to reflect the overall state of the state’s public health care system”. 

The cases in Sarawak increased dramatically from July 12 when the seven-day daily average was 329 cases. 

The number of people who have been vaccinated, including the first dose, then was only 24% of the state’s population of just over two million. 

By July 31, the average jumped to 450 and by August 1, it was 474. 

The upward trend has since peaked on September 16, when the seven-day daily average was 3,806. 

The number of daily deaths, as expected, corresponded with the rise in infections beginning on August 10, when the seven-day average was a mere one. 

The daily deaths peaked on September 27 with 15 deaths. By September 30, the daily deaths dipped to 13 when 65% of the population was fully jabbed.

While Sarawak may be the most infectious state in the country, the Health Ministry’s statistics shows the deaths per 100,000 people in the state for the past two weeks was 5.4 – just slightly above the national average of 5. 

The 5.4 deaths for every 100,000 cases it registered in the past fortnight was, however, way behind Penang’s 12.2, or Johor’s 8.4. 

Even tiny Perlis registered a higher death rate at 7.5 and Sabah at 6.3. 

The Ministry of Health projected that 80% of Sarawak’s population will be fully vaccinated on November 8.

As of yesterday, 1,864,399 people or 66.2% of the population have been fully vaccinated and 193,750 people or 6.9% partially vaccinated. – October 2, 2021.