SARAWAK health authorities are no closer to pinpointing the source of local Covid-19 transmissions that have spiked in the state in recent days.

Health Department director Dr Chin Zin Hing announced 25 new cases today, the third highest figure since the coronavirus was detected in the state, as well as a new cluster.

The new cluster is the Satok market cluster that was also announced by the director-general of health in Putrajaya today.

Chin said the department is still gathering information and conducting antibody tests on victims to look for clues as to who and where the sources of the outbreaks in the various clusters are.

Of the 25 new cases, 21 were reported in Kuching, two in Serian, one each in Samarahan and Lundu. 

Of the total, four are imported cases, which include a couple from the United Kingdom who flew into Sarawak on Saturday. 

They tested negative for Covid-19 while in transit at KLIA on Friday, but a PCR test on the second day of their quarantine in Kuching showed they were positive. 

The state does have suspicions as to the sources of the current spike of infections.

State Disaster Management Committee chairman, Deputy Chief Minister Douglas Uggah said one possibility is people from abroad entering the state, such as the couple from the United Kingdom.

“The problem is they test negative when in transit at KLIA, but when they are here and tested again while in quarantine, the result is positive.”

Uggah said for this reason, the state has requested that the number of incoming flights be reduced. 

The number of arrivals in Sarawak daily is estimated to be around 1,800. Every person arriving has to be quarantined for 14 days under a reintroduced policy to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Another area of possible source for the spike of infections is illegal immigrants who have sneaked across the porous Sarawak-Kalimantan border.

“That is why we have asked the military and police to step up border patrols and seal off the illegal crossings,” Uggah said.

The committee will discuss tomorrow if schools in infected districts – Kuching, Samarahan and Serian – should still be allowed to reopen on August 3 as originally scheduled.

Uggah said he has received requests from some parents to postpone the reopening. 

Kuching district is a red zone with 53 infections. A district is declared red once it has 41 cases.

The Serian and Lundu districts have also slid from green to yellow, indicating a maximum of 40 cases. – July 28, 2020.