Sarawak reports four Omicron-linked Covid-19 deaths between Dec 17 and 23

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KUCHING, Jan 3: Four Covid-19 deaths were reported during Epidemiology Week (EW) 51/2023 from Dec 17 to 23, and were linked to the new Omicron variants, JN.1 and HK.3, in Sarawak.

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas confirmed that among the Covid-19 fatalities, three cases were reported in Kuching, and one in Miri.

“In EW51, a total of 942 cases were reported which was an increase of 311 cases or 49.29 per cent compared to the previous week’s tally of 631 cases.

“The four fatalities were confirmed to have been infected by the new Omicron variants JN.1 and HK.3,” he said, according to a news report by Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) today.

Uggah, who is also Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman, highlighted that Sarawak saw a 50 per cent increase in infection cases during the same period.

He urged the public to remain vigilant by taking necessary measures and strictly adhering to guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health (MOH) to curb the spread of Covid-19 and safeguard themselves.

“People should remain vigilant, especially those in the high-risk groups such as senior citizens, children and those with comorbidities.

“This is because there are signs of emergence of subvariants HK.3 and JN.1 among the new cases detected in Sarawak,” he added. — DayakDaily