Sabah sees active Covid-19 cases drop to 104

By Olivia Miwil - April 23, 2020 @ 10:54am

There are only 104 active Covid-19 cases at six hospitals in Sabah, said state Health Department (JKNS) director Datuk Dr Christina Rundi. – AFP pic

KOTA KINABALU: There are only 104 active Covid-19 cases at six hospitals in Sabah, said state Health Department (JKNS) director Datuk Dr Christina Rundi.

She said seven people were discharged yesterday, which raises the tally of recovered cases in the state to 200 out of 308 infections.

Three succumbed to Covid-19, while another is classified as a case being investigated by the police.

Yesterday was the second consecutive day Sabah recorded zero new cases of Covid-19, but Dr Christina said it does not necessarily reflect the real situation, as there are still many samples yet to be processed.

“We are still doing targeted screening from all districts, particularly among contacts (of index cases) and the communities perceived as high risk groups.

“There are constant samples sent to be analysed as continuous screenings are necessary to know the status of the population in the state,” she said.

Dr Christina added that besides utilising government and Universiti Malaysia Sabah laboratories, JKNS has started to outsource about 800 samples every day to be analysed at private institutions.

The state will also use antibody rapid test kits once they are available to complement the investigation process.

To date, Sabah’s nine green zones include Kudat, Pitas, Kota Marudu, Beluran, Telupid, Tongod, Nabawan, Tenom and Kuala Penyu.

Districts such as Kota Belud, Sipitang and Semporna also recorded no new cases after all Covid-19 patients there were discharged.

Meanwhile, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said that the state government is prepared for an increase in Covid-19 cases once the Movement Control Order (MCO) is lifted.

"We have to learn from what happened in other countries which had more positive cases after their lockdowns were lifted.

“That is why the state government will also be selective on deciding which sectors to be opened based on demand and the situation," he said, adding that the state’s relevant authorities have also been monitoring several sectors, such as plantation, on their compliance to guidelines during operations.

The state also spent about RM2 million to modify Likas Sports Complex as a makeshift quarantine centre.