Kota Kinabalu: Help and appreciation is pouring in throughout the State for medical frontliners fighting the Covid-19 pandemic.

From individuals contributing small sums of money to NGOs providing help, people in Sabah are showing their support for medical personnel who are working round the clock.

Even the security forces pitched in, with Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) personnel cooking “bubur lambuk” for staff in the hospitals, clinics and health offices, as well as for those manning roadblocks.

Besides food, people contribute face masks, protective gears and even bottles of mineral water.

“We value everyone’s contribution. We are thankful for the support,” said Sabah Health Department Director Datuk Dr Christina Rundi.

She said material support — whether this be food, protective medical equipment or just moral support — for the medical teams was very much appreciated.

Dr Rundi said over 163 individuals, companies, NGOs, associations and political parties had come forward to give assistance.

She said Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) also contributed RM1 million for the purchase of medical equipment and other essentials.

She also expressed hope that the people would “help” by observing the guidelines set under the Movement Control Order (MCO) and take extra care of personal hygiene.

The State Government has given RM1 million each to the 10 government frontline organisations for food assistance. They include the health department, police, Immigration and Rela.

As of Tuesday, Sabah recorded 206 Covid-19 positive cases, with Tawau leading at 63 cases, Lahad Datu (39), Kota Kinabalu (25), Sandakan (16), Kinabatangan (14) and Tuaran (12).

Meanwhile, State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew assured that animals within the Lok Kawi Wildlife Park and other conservation areas are not neglected during the MCO.

“Maintenance and feeding of animals in our facilities are being done as usual. We have no problem.

“Our Lok Kawi Wildlife Park, Sepilok Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre and Borneo Elephant Sanctuary are being managed as usual without visitors,” she said when contacted.

She added that extra precautionary measures have been taken in view of the Covid-19.

“We asked our caretakers to be extra careful when in contact with our wildlife so as not to be infected with whatever virus that could be transmitted,” said Liew.

Sabah is home to diverse wildlife, from pygmy elephants to sun bears, orang-utans and sunda pangolins, etc.

However, many are at risk of extinction, no thanks to poaching. A very high number of deaths, especially involving elephants, occur in conflict areas with more than half either shot or due to suspected poisoning, while the rest due to natural causes.

The State saw the death of its last known male and female Sumatran rhinos last year.