KUCHING, March 13: Sarawak has recorded its first case of the novel coronavirus today with three people confirmed to be tested positive for Covid-19.
State Disaster Management Committee chairman, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, said two people were from the cluster attending the ‘Ijtimak’ (religious gathering) at Seri Petaling Mosque in Selangor from Feb 28 to March 1.
The third case is a family member associated to one of the members who attended the gathering.
“We are appealing to all those attending that gathering and who are in Sarawak to immediately contact the nearest hospital for Covid-19 investigation.
“So far, Sarawak Health Department has tracked 236 participants and will continue to track the remaining,” he said in a statement.
Uggah advised those who attended the gathering in Seri Petaling to also abide by the directive from the Sarawak Islamic Council that was issued yesterday (March 12).
Meanwhile, a total of nine new positive cases involving Covid-19 were reported to the National Crisis Preparedness and Response Center (CPRC) yesterday.
This brings the cumulative number of cases in Malaysia to 158, said Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah in a statement.
“However, as of today, there was also a total of six cases involving Covid-19, where the patients recovered. All of them have been tested negative for Covid-19 twice and allowed to go home.
“The newly discharged patients also brings a cumulative number of cases for the recovered and discharged Covid-19 to a total of 32 cases,” he said.
He added that currently, there are three cases being treated in the Intensive Care Unit and the situation is stable.
Dr Noor Hisham said from the total of 158 Covid-19 cases recorded, 26 cases was detected among Patient-Under-Investigation (PUI), 127 cases from close contact, two cases involving severe acute respiratory infection (SARI), two cases recorded from humanitarian aid mission and one cases involving influenza-like-illness (ILI).
The Health Ministry advised those who attended or knows anyone that attended the religious gathering in Seri Petaling Mosque in Selangor to contact the nearest government hospital or health department.
“Public involved in the gathering are requested to comply and act accordingly to the advice by the Health Ministry to prevent any Covid-19 breakout in the general public.
“The ministry has also informed the International Health Regulation (IHR), as a Focal Point (FP) for those countries, where the event participants originated from,” it said.
The ministry also advised the public to not spread any unverified news involving Covid-19, especially involving the “tabligh” gathering to preserved the harmonious environment in the country.
“The ministry will continue to provide updates on the latest situation from time to time,” he said. — DayakDaily
