Bernama file photo
KUCHING (May 22): Sarawak recorded two deaths and 749 new cases due to Covid-19 today, with the Hari Raya festival resulting in a record number of new cases in Kuching district, said the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC).
In a statement, the committee said the first fatality recorded today involved a 75-year-old woman who was referred to Miri Hospital by a health clinic after experiencing breathing difficulties.
“She had been experiencing cough and fever for the past four days and the rT-PCR test taken on May 20 had come back positive,” said the committee.
Her health condition deteriorated before she passed away on May 20. The deceased had comorbidities of high blood pressure, diabetes and chronic kidney disease.
The second death involved a 77-year-old man who was treated at Miri Hospital for breathing difficulties.
“The deceased experienced symptoms such as breathing difficulties and exhaustion since five days ago. The rT-PCR test taken on May 21 had come back positive.”
His condition deteriorated before passing away on May 21. He had comorbidities of heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.
To date, the death toll due to the coronavirus in Sarawak stands at 249.
Meanwhile, SDMC said that the high number of new cases in Kuching today involved close contacts of previously identified positive Covid-19 patients with a majority being family members moving around during the recent Hari Raya festival.
The breakdown of the new cases were 149 cases in Kuching, Sibu (125), Miri (93), Mukah (79), Kanowit (49), Bintulu (48), Belaga (37), Sri Aman (24), Samarahan (21), Kapit (20), Selangau (16), Serian (11), Betong (11), Sebauh (10), Pakan (10), Subis (10), Tatau (7), Beluru (5), Asajaya (5), Bau (3), Pusa (3), Bukit Mabong (2), Saratok (2), Julau (2), Daro (2), Sarikei (1), Dalat (1), Lundu (1), Song (1) and Meradong (1).
This brings the cumulative tally of positive cases in Sarawak to 41,620.
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