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MIRI – Authorities in Sarawak are stepping up coordination with pre-school institutions to vaccinate children against Covid-19 and avert a health crisis among the young in light of the Omicron variant sweeping across the state.
State Women, Children, and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said that her ministry is working with the Health Ministry and kindergartens to make the vaccination drive successful.
“My ministry is working closely with the Health Ministry and the Sarawak Kindergartens’ Association on this vaccination campaign against Covid-19,” she said, adding that the association has been tasked to coordinate the effort.
The issue also involves vaccination centres in various districts.
“We want to make sure the vaccination process is carried out smoothly and carefully for the sake of these young ones,” she said during a meeting at her ministry with pre-school associations over the weekend.
The Sarawak Public Communications Unit quoted Fatimah as saying at the meeting that state authorities are making extra efforts to vaccinate as many eligible children as possible.
There has been a surge in Sarawak over the past week of Omicron cases.
The latest fatality was a 10-year-old girl in Sibu two days ago.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian had admitted that the real number of Omicron infections in the state is higher than the official figure, as many infected people are not reporting to the health authorities.
Dr Sim on Saturday said many infected with Omicron have taken their own medical treatment or simply isolated themselves.
“They think that since Omicron infections cause milder symptoms, they need not be hospitalised.
“However, for those with ill health and the elderly whose organs are already functioning at low levels, Omicron infections can cause serious complications,” he warned.
Last Friday, a young woman in Kuching aged 25 was brought dead into Sarawak General Hospital from her house.
She was confirmed as having died of Covid-19. The State Disaster Management Committee said the woman had heart problems.
Her death was confirmed to be due to Covid-19, of which the Omicron variant is dominant in this state.
Kuching, Miri, Sibu and numerous districts are recording more cases each day.
An outbreak of Covid-19 among pupils had also resulted in a cluster taking shape in a school in Lorong Siol Kandis in state capital Kuching last week.
The committee said nine pupils in the school have tested positive so far.
“The index case was traced to a family in Kpg Pinang Jawa. The infections have spread from the family to other students.
“The infections are believed to have started on February 15,” said its secretariat.
Active tracing is being carried out among the students while the infected ones have been sent to hospital. Sarawak has three active clusters of infections. – The Vibes, February 28, 2022