BY James Kon

There was an increase in daily COVID-19 cases on Thursday with 146 new infections reported from 134 antigen rapid test (ART) screenings and 12 from 585 RT-PCR laboratory tests. With the new numbers, the total tally of confirmed cases rose to 142,312.

This was revealed by Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar at the daily press conference on Thursday.

Some 132 cases were declared recovered, bringing the number of recoveries to 141,540 while active cases stand at 587.

Of the active cases, 10 are being treated at hospitals and 577 are undergoing home self-isolation.

There are two cases in Category 5 needing treatment at intensive care unit and two patients in Category 4 under close monitoring and requiring respiratory assistance. No deaths were recorded.

Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham also said that 312 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were administered to children aged five to 11 on Wednesday. This brought the number of children in the age group vaccinated against coronavirus to 21,979 (51.2 per cent).

Twenty shots of the vaccine’s second dose were given to the children, bringing the number of the double-jabbed to 2,025 (4.7 per cent).

The minister added that 65.6 per cent of the Sultanate have received three doses of the vaccine.

Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham reminded those visiting relatives during Hari Raya Aidilfitri to screen for COVID-19 before leaving home and to wear face masks indoors. Those with positive results or are feeling unwell should refrain from leaving their residence.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin