Maximum fine of RM10,000 for flouting Covid-19 standard operating procedures come into force on March 11.

The increase of the penalty from RM1,000 to RM10,000 is part of the Emergency (Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador said those who have been slapped with the RM10,000 compound fine can appeal and the fine may be lowered. It will be up to the district health officers to decide on the amount of fine according to nature of offence.

Penalty could go up to RM50,00,too.

A document has went viral on whatsapp on a shopping mall being compounded up to RM50,000. Is it legit?

According to infographic from the Health Ministry, under the Emergency (Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021, the fine can even go up to RM100,000 and imprisonment of 7 years.

Covid-19 vaccination

As the Covid-19 vaccination entered the second week, more than 20,000 of the people in Sabah, particularly frontliners, have been vaccinated.

Covid-19 cases are in two-figure number this week. On Sunday, the record is 39.

A woman in Kalabakan, Tawau has triggered a bew cluster dubbed as “Jambatan 1 Bombalai” after holding the kenduri akikah at her home on Feb 20.

Within a week, the 59-year-old woman developed symptoms and underwent Covid-19 screening at a medical centre in Tawau on Feb 26.

It is a good thing that there are many types of vaccines available, it means that researchers from many countries are working on developing their vaccines, said Sabah-based infectious disease expert Dr Timothy William.

However, he said it does not mean people from Malaysia can choose which brand they want during their inoculation.

Dr Timothy said that everyone, including frail elderly people, cancer survivors and pregnant women, should get the vaccine but they can always consult with doctors whether they are suitable to receive it.

According to reports, the common side effects experienced by Covid-19 vaccine recipients are include pain on the injection site, mild fever and fatigue.

“For anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction), it was reported only 5 in 1 million people receiving the vaccine. But it usually happened to those with history of anaphylaxis before.

“That is why recipients are told to stay 30 minutes after the injection (to be treated for anaphylaxis),” he said.

Herd immunity can be achieved by having 70-90 per cent of the population received the vaccination.

As for whether the SOPs can be removed and life would be back before Covid-19 pandemic, Dr Timothy said nothing would be certain, “a lot of predictions last year did not come true”. While he hopes that the immunity could last up to a year, there are concerns that the vaccine might not be effective against mutated variants.

A rescued female calf “Nita” euthanised

The female calf, named Nita, was rescued from a palm oil estate in Tawau district about 20 months ago when it was just a month old.

Sabah Wildlife department has suffered months of health complications. More story here.

On Friday night, more than 200 were made homeless when 73 stilt houses at Kampung Lok Urai off Gaya island destroyed in a fire.

The 8pm incident is believed to start from a house and spread to adjacent houses.