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KUCHING: Sarawak will order RM2mil worth of the antiviral drug Paxlovid due to the increasing number of Covid-19 cases, says Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
The Sarawak Premier said this would ensure that the state is prepared for any spike in cases.
"We want to have a stock of Paxlovid in case there is a surge. The priority is to save lives.
"If we don't get a grant from the Federal Government, the state government will pay first," he told reporters after launching a book on the late educator and civil servant Datuk Polycarp Sim here on Wednesday (Dec 20).
Abang Johari said the drug would be supplied to health facilities statewide.
Asked if any Covid-19 guidelines would be issued for the coming new year countdown event, he said the state would follow the Health Ministry's directive on managing the current situation.
"What is important is that we must be prepared. Previously, we were the first to be prepared with the (Covid-19) vaccine, now we are going to place an order for Paxlovid," he said.
Speaking at the book launch earlier, Abang Johari recalled that Sim was a mentor and role model to him.
"It's an honour for me to launch this book about a legend. He motivated me to read and get more knowledge," he said.
Written by Richard Song, "The Life of Polycarp Sim" includes interviews with his former students as well as his contributions to society.
Sim taught at St Joseph’s Secondary School here for many years before being appointed state Public Services Commission deputy chairman and Yayasan Sarawak director.
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