THERE is no need to panic about the Covid-19 situation in Tuaran, Sabah that has been categorised as a red zone because most of the recorded cases involved individuals with no symptoms (category one) and mild symptoms (category two), says Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa. 

Speaking to reporters after the Health Ministry’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house today, she said the situation in Sabah was also under control and the number of cases recorded in the state was currently less than 100 per week. 

She said the Covid-19 cases that had been reported recently were not severe as those infected were only required to undergo isolation without having to be admitted to hospitals. 

“If there are cases (involving categories) three, four, and five that are quite severe, most of the cases we find involved those aged 60 and above and also individuals with comorbidities such as diabetes,” she said. 

Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Joachim Gunsalam reportedly said Tuaran had been categorised as a red zone for Covid-19 due to the sudden increase in positive cases over the past week, where the district recorded 26 new cases compared to 18 cases the week before.

Overall, the number of new cases in the 19th epidemiological week (last week) throughout Sabah increased by 68% to 64 cases compared to 38 cases the previous week. 

Meanwhile, Dr Zaliha reminded the public to immediately seek treatment at the nearest health facility if they experienced symptoms of heatstroke such as fatigue, cramps, and dehydration, adding that all health facilities were ready to admit cases with these conditions. 

“So far, the situation is controlled and moderate because we are also monitoring the areas (hotspots) from the MetMalaysia (Malaysian Meteorological Department) report,” she added. 

As of yesterday, 15 cases of heatstroke with one death were recorded. – Bernama, May 17, 2023.