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Singapore arrivals in Sarawak must undergo self-quarantine

KUCHING: Those who had recently visited Singapore must undergo an immediate self-imposed 14 days home quarantine following the latest cases of the novel coronavirus there.

Sarawak Disaster Management Committee chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the decision was made today during a meeting held with authorities charge of health, immigration, tourism and foreign affairs among others.

“The decision was made in view of the development in Singapore where its Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (DORSCON) had issued an Orange warning level over the spread of the disease,” he said in a statement.

The Orange level indicates the infection as “severe and spread easily from person to person but the disease has not spread widely in Singapore and is being contained”.

Uggah said Sarawak was concerned over the coronavirus clusters in Singapore which took place in a church, a medical product shop and a hotel after an international conference was held.

“The victims ranged from church-goers to taxi drivers, private hire drivers, tour guide and a teacher. They had not been to China but were affected in these places. Singapore as at yesterday has 43 confirmed cases.”

He said the committee would soon engage bodies representing churches, temples, mosques, the taxi association, hoteliers association and long-distance bus associations among others in efforts to contain the spread.

“We are still free of the coronavirus. I appeal to all to give us their utmost support and co-operation.”

Uggah said the committee would meet every Monday morning from today onwards to discuss the development and come up with strategic action plans.

From Jan 10 to Feb 9, there had been 60 Patient Under Investigation (PUI) cases recorded in Sarawak with 43 tested negative 17 were pending.

Out the total, 15 cases involving Malaysian nationals are recorded at the Sarawak General Hospital, eight at Sibu Hospital, seven in Miri and four in Bintulu.

For those affecting Chinese nationals, four were recorded at the Sarawak General Hospital, two in Sibu and two in Bintulu. The sole case involving a Thai national was recorded at Sarawak General Hospital.

He added that for the 17 pending cases, 11 involved Malaysians, five Chinese and one from Thailand.

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