IPOH: The Perak Health Department hopes to administer at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine to 80% of the Orang Asli population in rural areas by the end of August.

       State health director Datuk Dr Ding Lay Ming said as of Friday (Aug 13), a total of 10,221 or 45.5% of the Orang Asli in rural areas had already received their first dose.

       On the outbreak of cases in the Batang Padang district that saw 24 Orang Asli villages being placed under the enhanced movement control order, Dr Ding said the cause was from factories and workplaces.

       “The clusters have spread to the respective communities.

       “Control measures through isolation and treatment at the special low-risk quarantine centre in Sungkai are being conducted,” she said.

       “As of Friday, a total of 1,159 Orang Asli in the district were tested positive with 12 deaths,” she added.