KOTA KINABALU: Public apathy and weariness on the long-drawn fight against the Covid-19 pandemic remains a key factor for the spread of the infection that sees Sabah's figures "rising and dipping" over the last few months. Public health experts believe that people might have developed lethargy and as such, drop their guard against the continuing threat of the virus that is now seeing a fresh rising trend in the east coast Sabah areas particularly south-eastern Tawau district. Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Senior Public Health Medicine Specialist and Head of Public Health Unit Datuk Dr Mohd Yusof Ibrahim said that the virus is in the community and the public must maintain strict vigilance to safeguard themselves.