A total of 425 out of 449 deaths in Sarawak (94.6%) were detected to have no history of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
According to Astro AWANI, Sarawak state health department (JKNS) director Datuk Dr. Mohamed Saplan said that 21 deaths (4.7%) only received the first dose when the cases were positive.
Photo via Malay Mail
“Only three deaths or 0.7% had received the first and second doses before they were tested positive but within 14 days from the date of receiving the last dose. This means that so far, Sarawak has not recorded any deaths due to COVID-19 among individuals who have completed COVID-19 immunisation at least 14 days after receiving a complete dose of vaccine,” he said on Monday (August 9th).
He also added that the increase in COVID-19 immunisation coverage continues to have a positive impact on mortality and severe illness due to COVID-19 infection in Sarawak.
Sarawak recently achieved high COVID-19 immunisation coverage among all eligible adult populations involving 88.2% for the first dose and 75.9% for the second dose as of August 8th.
Meanwhile, JKNS emphasised that the COVID-19 immunisation is safe and effective in reducing the risk of severe illness or death, including the Delta variants or the other variants of concerns (VOC).
However, Dr. Saplan added that this immunisation could not completely prevent the risk of being infected with the COVID-19 as it could still occur in a small number of individuals who had completed the immunisation, but the symptoms experienced would usually be mild.
He also urged the public who are eligible and have not yet received the COVID-19 vaccine, which is 11.8% of the population in Sarawak, to get vaccinated soon and ensure that all family members and acquaintances are also vaccinated immediately.
We’re all in this together, guys! Let’s help our frontliners to flatten the curve of infection by following the SOPs and getting ourselves vaccinated!
Stay home and stay safe.
By: Aishah Akashah Ahadiat
