SIBU: Self-testing for Covid-19 is encouraged among the people of Sibu division who intend to visit family members in villages or longhouses to prevent the spread of infection in smaller or confined areas.

       The divisional disaster management committee also urged the public to continue adhering to standard operating procedures (SOP) in view of rising Covid-19 cases.

       This includes wearing face masks and observing physical distancing while outdoors.

       Employers are also encouraged to continue allowing their staff to work from home or implement a rotation system for being physically at the office in order to create a safe workplace environment.

       The committee said in a statement on Wednesday (Feb 9) that the number of cases spiked in the first week of February.

       "The Sibu division reported 35 cases of Covid-19 on Feb 8, a sharp increase over the last few days. This upward trend has been seen since the Chinese New Year celebrations on Feb 1," it said.

       It added that the number of weekly cases also showed an increase, from 15 cases in the first epidemiological week (Jan 2-8) of 2022 and 19 cases in the second week, to 49 cases in the fifth week (Jan 30-Feb 5).

       However, the bed occupancy in Hospital Sibu for Covid-19 cases is still low at below 20%.

       There are only two cases requiring oxygen support currently at the hospital, the committee added.

       "The existing quarantine and treatment centre in Sibu is still empty for now. It can accommodate a total of 360 patients.

       "A new quarantine centre for high-risk cases is being developed inside the hospital area with a capacity of 100 beds and will be ready for use soon," it said.

       On booster doses for adults, it said Sibu had recorded 187,158 doses as of Monday (Feb 7), which is 86.47% of the total eligible population.

       "All adults who have not received the booster dose are encouraged to take it as soon as possible at any health clinic in the division as well as selected private clinics or hospitals.

       "Data for Malaysia shows that individuals who have not been vaccinated are nine times more likely to be infected and 62 times more likely to die from Covid-19 than individuals who have completed the vaccine or have taken a booster dose," it said.

       The committee also said that the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme for Children (PICKids) aged five to 11 years started in the division on Monday with 920 doses given (620 in Sibu, 200 in Selangau and 100 in Kanowit).

       The programme is estimated to involve about 32,000 children in the division and will be run in primary schools until March for the first dose.

       The committee urged parents who have yet to register their children for PICKids to do so as soon as possible.