Only 14 per cent Sabahans have taken booster shot, says Masidi

 

Only 14 per cent Sabahans have been jabbed with Covid-19 boosters, as the state government continues to voice concern over the significant number of daily cases and deaths. - NSTP/DANIAL SAAD

KOTA KINABALU: Only 14 per cent Sabahans have been jabbed with Covid-19 boosters, as the state government continues to voice concern over the significant number of daily cases and deaths.

Sabah Covid-19 spokesman Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun in a statement today urged the people to get their boosters as the measure was proven to be effective in mitigating severe symptoms caused by the virus.

"For example, 44 people died outside the hospital (brought-in-dead, BID) as a result of Covid-19 between Jan 1 and Feb 17.

"A total of 42 people (equivalent to 95 per cent) have not received the booster shots. This compares to only two deaths (equivalent to 5 per cent) of those who had received the booster," he said in a statement.

Masidi said the public could get booster doses at the nearest health clinics as well as at any booster dose vaccination centre set to be opened throughout the state soon.

Meanwhile, 62 infants less than a year-old were among the 4,770 new Covid-19 cases in Sabah.

"From the total cases today, 234 involved children under the age of 5 including 62 infants who are ineligible for vaccination.

"Some 322 involved children aged between 5 and 11 who are eligible for vaccination but have yet to be inoculated," said Masidi.

Masidi said more than 90 per cent of the total cases were in Category 1 and 2, in which patients only display mild symptoms or none at all.

"Some 99.69 per cent or 4,755 out of the 4,770 cases today are in Category 1 and 2. Only 15 cases are in Categories 3, 4 and 5," he said, adding that today's cases were down by 237 compared to yesterday.

However, Masidi stressed that a marginal decline since three days ago was not seen as a continuing trend as sporadic cases, at 63.56 percent today, remained high.

"Districts with high number of cases also recorded a high percentage of symptomatic cases resulting from sporadic infections.

"Kota Kinabalu had the most at 1,198 cases of which 68.78 percent was sporadic infection.

"The high percentage of sporadic cases will ease the spread of Covid-19 in the community and infect more people," he cautioned.

He added that the capital city also recorded two deaths out of five in the state.

He said 2,633 patients recovered today, while 2,794 were undergoing treatment in the state. - NST