39 new confirmed COVID-19 cases in Malaysia, bringing the tally to 197

KUALA LUMPUR (March 13): The Ministry of Health (MOH) today announced 39 new cases of COVID-19, raising the total number of confirmed cases TO 197 in Malaysia.

Since Monday (March 9), there have been 98 new cases detected.

Malaysia is currently the country with the second highest number of infected cases in the ASEAN region after Singapore where there are 200 confirmed cases. There are 75 cases in Thailand, 69 in Indonesia and 64 in the Philippines, according to official data.

In a statement issued tonight, MoH’s Health Director-General Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said 38 cases were detected among Patient-Under-Investigation (PUI) while one case contracted the disease through close contact.

The four severe cases are being treated at the intensive care unit with the support of respiratory aid equipment. These cases have been given anti-viral treatment.

“There were 52 cases reported among Patient-Under-Investigation (PUI) (from 23rd case to 197th case), while the other cases involved two main clusters that have been identified.

“Besides, the MoH also conducted surveillance of COVID-19 to detect isolated or sporadic cases in Malaysia through influenza-like-illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) patients with no history of travel to affected countries or contact with positive cases of COVID-19,” he said in the statement.

As of March 13, a total of 756 samples have been tested and so far three samples have been positive for COVID-19.

So far, investigations have revealed that these cases have been detected among 'tabligh' assembly clusters. There are on-going investigations into the cases and the public will be informed from time to time.

“In the first wave, 22 cases were reported (1st to 22nd case). Of these, 12 cases were from Patient Under Investigation (PUI), 8 were from close contact while two were from humanitarian aid missions that took Malaysian citizens from Hubei Province, China back to Malaysia. All cases from the first wave were cured and allowed to go home,” said Datuk Dr Noor Hisham.

Since Malaysia entered the second phase of the outbreak at end-February, the number of new COVID-19 cases reported has increased.

Bernama reported Malaysia’s first three COVID-19 cases were detected on Jan 25. The second wave of the outbreak started on Feb 27, which was after 11 days of no new case.

Government measures to control infection

The spike in the number of COVID-19 cases has compelled the government to take preventive measures to contain the outbreak.

In the statement, MoH’s Noor Hisham said all public events need to be postponed to prevent the transmission of COVID-19.

“Good personal hygiene, such as washing your hands frequently with water and soap, or using hand sanitizer, is necessary, said Noor Hisham.

He told the public that those who have symptoms of respiratory tract infections such as fever, cough or difficulty breathing, need to get medical attention quickly.

MOH has urged those who attended a 'tabligh' (religious event) gathering at the Sri Petaling Jamek Mosque between Feb 27 and March 3, which attracted around 16,000 people, to get themselves tested for COVID-19.

Noor Hisham said all mass gatherings in the country should be postponed and advised those experiencing symptoms of respiratory infection to distance themselves from crowded places at least one metre away from other individuals.

He also clarified that there was no sporadic case of COVID-19 in Malaysia. Sporadic cases are cases where the infected person did not have any travel history to affected countries or contact with an infected person.

The case that was initially thought to be sporadic has been traced to the 'tabligh' event.

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