An aerial view of MBKS Community Hall shows the traffic congestion along Canna Lily Boulevard and Jalan Pending yesterday. – Photo by Roystein Emmor
KUCHING (Aug 24): A total 3,796 swabs were collected at the Covid-19 One Stop Centre (OSC) in MBKS Community Hall, Jalan Padungan yesterday (Aug 23), said Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian.
In a Facebook post last night, the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) advisor said the number was a record high for the OSC.
He said in total the state health authorities collected 4,931 samples yesterday, including from those under quarantine at designated facilities as well as from active case detection (ACD).
“Thank you very much for coming forward to get tested and for your understanding and patience in queueing for the free Covid-19 testing at the OSC.
“The cost per head for testing (which is absorbed by the government) is RM100,” he said.
A surge in the number of people going for Covid-19 swab tests at the OSC in MBKS Community Hall yesterday led to traffic congestion along Jalan Pending.
Dr Sim advised the public not to rush to the OSC in the morning to avoid overcrowding, long lines, and lengthy waits but to go at their convenience in the afternoon as the centre is open until 5pm on weekdays, as well as from 9am to 12pm on weekends.
He said other public health clinics in Kuching are also providing PCR swab tests by appointment to avoid large crowds and the emergence of new clusters.
Those who intend to get tested at health clinics can make an appointment with the health clinics at Jalan Masjid, Batu Kawah, Kota Sentosa, Petra Jaya, or Tanah Puteh, as well as the Bau District Health Office or Lundu District Health Office.
Dr Sim also thanked all medical and non-medical front-liners for their hard work as they have been stretched thin to address urgent needs during pandemic.
“The front-liner staff at Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) and private healthcare facilities including those behind the scenes doing the packing and in the laboratories have been working seven days a week, with some around the clock just to get the results out to you as soon as possible,” he added.