KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government is working on improving the "walk-in" for vaccinations at centres that saw crowds swarming in many areas across the state.

       Sabah Covid-19 spokesman Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said that state secretary Datuk Safar Untong as chairman of the state Covid-19 management committee is fine-tuning the current system.

       "The committee is fine-tuning the current system to improve it. We are continuously trying to improve daily," he said when asked if the state was reviewing the walk-ins as there many people turning up as well as those with confirmed MySejahtera appointments unable to go in due to the presence of a large number of people at the centres.

       Amid growing positive Covid-19 cases, Sabah opened up vaccine centres for walk-ins since Thursday (Aug 12) but huge crowds were seen in viral photos and videos not observing social distancing.

       People were clamouring at various centres across the state to get vaccinated amid concerns that the spread of Covid-19 in the state would be further aggravated with new clusters.

       Masidi said that once ready, the state will announce the improved system to be in place for walk-in vaccination.

       On a question about criticism over only fully vaccinated customers can dine-in at eateries from Friday (Aug 13), Masidi said that the rule was to make it safer for both diners, as well as their operators and workers.

       "A lot of people also criticise us for allowing dine-in, especially during this time when the number of positives is all time high. Many wanted us to suspend dine-ins. Now we introduce rules to make it safer for both the diners and operators," he said.

       Sabah decided to allow dine-ins from June 29 without putting in place rules that diners and operators needed to be fully vaccinated.

       Masidi said that the vaccines were now available and people must get themselves vaccinated.

       "There is no ‘right time’. The right time is to take action now. Just get the vaccines," he said when referring to criticism in social media on why the state decided to introduce vaccination rules for people to patronise eateries.

       Meanwhile, Masidi said that the number of positive cases remained high in Sabah with 1,654 on Friday though it dropped from 2,052 cases reported Thursday.

       Kota Kinabalu and its neighbouring Penampang and Putatan recorded 580 new cases while east coast Tawau reported 210 cases. He said there was a new cluster "Kluster Donggongon" in Penampang involving 30 cases so far.

       He said 58% or 958 of the new cases were due to close contact while 32% or 525 were from symptomatic screening.

       "It is still spreading in the community," he said, adding that they will continue to push the vaccination drive across the state.

       As of Thursday, Masidi said the state Health Department managed to vaccinate 54,091 people and they are continuing to reach their target of 59,000 daily vaccination.

       As of Thursday, he said 43.9% of the adult Sabah population have already received their first vaccination dose and 19.6% have completed two doses.