Filipina first foreigner to die from Covid-19 in Sarawak


Desmond Davidson

Sarawak recorded 555 new Covid-19 cases today, the highest figure to date. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, April 9, 2021.

A 43-YEAR-OLD Filipina found unconscious by her friends in her home in the rural town of Sebauh in Bintulu on March 27 was the first foreigner to die from Covid-19 in Sarawak, said Deputy Chief Minister Douglas Uggah.

He said the woman was rushed to a nearby health clinic but was pronounced dead on arrival. Samples taken from her for a swab test revealed that she was Covid-19 positive.

The woman had no comorbid history and was one of three fatalities reported today. The other two were a 68-year-old woman, also from Bintulu, and a 42-year-old man from Sibu.

The deaths bring the number of people to have died from the pandemic in the state to 120.

The older Bintulu woman was also found unconscious in her home by family members on Monday.

The woman, who suffered from hypertension and dyslipidemia – an abnormal amount of cholesterol and fats in the blood – was rushed to a hospital but never regained consciousness.

Uggah said an RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) test conducted on Wednesday found that she was positive.

The Sibu man, meanwhile, was admitted to a hospital after complaining of breathing difficulties. He also had cough and fever, symptoms of the Covid-19 infection. A test on April 2 showed that he was positive for the infection.

His health deteriorated and died yesterday.

There were 555 new cases reported today, the state’s highest figure to date.

Uggah said Sarawakians should view the high figure as a warning that as long as the standard operating procedures (SOP) were not observed, new cases will only continue to rise.

“The implication of this is huge. It will make it difficult for us to return to our normal lives,” he said.

Of the 555 new cases today, Sibu leads the number of infections with 115 cases, followed by Bintulu (112), Miri (70), Kapit (61), Meradong (57), Mukah (46), Kuching (29), Sarikei (12), Beluru and Subis (8 each), Sri Aman and Julau (7 each), Asajaya (4), Samarahan and Saratok (3 each), Selangau, Bukit Mabong and Tatau (2 each), Belaga, Betong, Song, Limbang, Bau, Serian and Sebauh (one each). – April 9, 2021.


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