Kota Kinabalu: The number of daily Covid-19 cases rose sharply to 253 on Tuesday against Monday’s 161, according to Sabah’s Covid-19 spokesperson Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun.
“It is observed that the percentage of total cases of the Close Contact Screening category (45.8 per cent) and the Symptomatic Screening category (43.1 per cent) is almost balanced today.
“This clearly reflects how widespread the Covid-19 virus is in the midst of society as well as the negligence of many people complying with various Standard Operating Procedures,” he said.
“We hope this sharp rise in cases is not due to various New Year celebrations that ignore the SOPs and other Ministry of Health advice.
“If the festive events celebrating the New Year are the cause of the increase in cases today, it is not impossible that we will see a higher number of daily cases for some time to come,” he said.
He also noted that 50 (19.76 per cent) out of the 253 cases on Tuesday involved children under the age of 12 who are not yet eligible to receive the vaccine.
“The statistics of infections involving children under 12 are quite high and alarming.
“It is hoped that all parents and teachers in the school take measures and initiatives that can reduce the risk of infection in those who are not yet eligible to receive the vaccine,” he said.
On Tuesday, 10 districts posted double digit cases led by Kota Kinabalu with a total of 49 (up by 20 cases), Tuaran 29 (up by 10 cases), Kota Marudu 19 (up 14), Penampang 18 (up five) and Sandakan 15 (up 12 cases). Only Putatan and Kunak did not record any new cases.
A total of 248 out of 253 new patients today are in Categories One and Two, two patients in Category Three, and one patient each in Category Four and Category Five.
Another case is still under further evaluation by State Health Department.
Meanwhile, four Covid-19 fatality were recorded in Sabah on Tuesday, namely in Tawau, Pitas, Tambunan and Kota Belud.
A total of 288 Covid-19 patients were discharged, while 419 remained hospitalised, 327 are detained at low-risk quarantine centres, and two at temporary detention centres.
Thirty-five Covid-19 patients are on Intensive Care, while 14 require ventilated assistance.
Twenty-six patients in Stage Four and Five have yet to be vaccinated.
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