The number of new Covid-19 cases nationwide increased by 57.3% to 3,626 last week from 2,305 recorded the week before, with the health ministry advising healthcare personnel in public and private healthcare facilities to remain vigilant.

Sarawak tourism, creative industry and performing arts minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said he was confident the health ministry will react decisively if there was a surge in infections.

“I believe the health ministry will issue certain directives if the cases rise,” he said after launching the Sarawak Tourism Board’s (STB) Integrity Policies Book and Integrity Day in Kuching today.

“We need not be so alarmed. At the moment, everything is quite under control. That’s how I look at it here.

“We have not come to a stage where we (his ministry) need to act. If it has reached that stage, my ministry will come up with guidelines on tourism events and tourist arrivals in the state.”

However, he advised the elderly and those with health issues to take extra precautions, and also to wear masks when in crowded areas.

Sarawak had 210 active Covid-19 cases according to health ministry data as of Dec 3. Of the number, 201 were under quarantine while the other nine were hospitalised. None of those hospitalised had to be admitted to the intensive care unit.