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Tag: Infection

Just stay at home, pleads PM (Updated)

PETALING JAYA: Please, stay at home and protect yourself and your family.

This was the ultimate message by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to all Malaysians in his special address tonight as the country enters its second day of the 14 days restriction of movement order (RMO).

Muhyiddin explained that the goal of the movement restrictions was to minimise exposure to the Covid-19 virus, after many among the public disregarded the order to travel to their hometowns, while others were spotted in public areas.

“The reason of the RMO is so that all of you need not travel. You don’t have to crowd the trains and buses or eateries, and your children are not required to go to school, which could expose them (to the virus).

“I plead to you, please, stay put where you are. I plead, just for this two weeks … stay at home quietly,” he said.

Muhyiddin said it was pertinent that Malaysians adhere to the RMO to break the chain of infection and ultimately reduce the number of those infected with the novel coronavirus.

He reminded the public that the virus could be transmitted from person to person through touch, and that if they continue to travel around, the chances of them contracting Covid-19 was higher.

He added that the reason the RMO was set to two weeks was because the Covid-19 has an incubation period of 14 days.

“The government is hoping that after this period, those still with symptoms can be identified and separated for treatment, and finally make Malaysia free of Covid-19.

“If during this period we are not successful, the government may be forced to extend the restriction order,” he said.

Muhyiddin said while the concept of staying home and avoiding public places looked simple in principle, this was particularly important if the country wishes to contain the virus.

He also urged those who need to move around to purchase essential daily items to practise good hygiene and avoid any physical contact with others.

“As a prime minister, I have a huge responsibility to handle the crisis. But I can’t possibly do it alone. I need all of your help. God willing, we can overcome this crisis together,” he said.

To date, 790 people have been infected by the Covid-19, with 117 new cases recorded today. Two Malaysians died to the virus on Tuesday.

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https://www.thesundaily.my/local/just-stay-at-home-pleads-pm-updated-YB2146735

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March 18, 2020
3-D printers saving the lives of coronavirus victims

Medical valves manufactured with portable 3-D printers are saving the lives of coronavirus victims at a hospital located in what is considered Italy’s Ground Zero for the deadly viral infection.

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https://techxplore.com/news/2020-03-d-printers-coronavirus-victims.html

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March 17, 2020
Do not bring family to buy essential goods: NSC

PUTRAJAYA: There is no restriction on individuals going out to buy essential goods when the Movement Control Order comes into effect from March 18 to 31 throughout the country, but they are not allowed to bring their family members along.

National Security Council (NSC) Maritime Sovereignty Division director Roselin Rajab said the order was aimed at reducing the movement of people in public places in the effort to curb the spread of the Covid-19 infection.

“There is no problem if you want to buy daily necessities but do not bring the entire family and children for the chore. Just go out alone,” he told reporters after a special Covid-19 meeting between Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah and media editors, here today.

In terms of surveillance, Roselin said the authorities would be monitoring to ensure there is no assembly or gathering at public places.

“If we come across people meeting in a place, they will be told to return home,” he said.

On transit flights at the country’s airports, Roselin said these passengers would not be allowed to come out of the terminal.

“As they are on transit, the passengers would not be allowed come out of the terminal. This is because, they have not entered the country so long as they do not pass the Immigration checkpoint,” he said.

The Movement Control Order was announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Monday to prevent the virus from infecting more people. – Bernama

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https://www.thesundaily.my/local/do-not-bring-family-to-buy-essential-goods-nsc-EC2141556

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March 17, 2020
Man detained for spitting in lift, causing public anxiety

GEORGE TOWN: An elderly man has been arrested for allegedly spitting on the buttons of a lift at a housing estate in Sungai Ara, Bayan Lepas near here, causing alarm amid fears of Covid-19.

Southwest district police chief Supt A. Anbalagan said the 63-year-old snooker centre employee surrendered himself at the Bayan Lepas police station after a video of the abhorrent act went viral and was slammed by netizens.

“At 7.25pm yesterday a teacher lodged a police report after receiving the viral video on WhatsApp. The Penang City Council (MBPP) and Health Ministry have been urged to clean up the lift and examine the man,“ he said here today.

He said the man had undergone a health screening.

“So far he showed no signs of Covid-19 infection and a urine drug test also came out negative,” he added.

Anbalagan said the man had admitted to committing the act and police were completing the investigation papers for the case to be investigated under Section 427 of the Penal Code for committing mischief.

Meanwhile, Anbalagan called on the public to cooperate by not resorting to acts that could aggravate fears and anxiety at a time when Covid-19 has been declared a pandemic. – Bernama

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https://www.thesundaily.my/local/man-detained-for-spitting-in-lift-causing-public-anxiety-IC2136875

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March 16, 2020
Singapore reports 14 new cases of coronavirus, in biggest daily jump

SINGAPORE: Singapore today confirmed 14 new cases of the novel coronavirus, its health ministry said, marking the biggest daily increase of the infection in the city-state.

Singapore has confirmed a total 226 cases of the virus so far, with 105 having fully recovered. Nine of the cases confirmed on Sunday are imported. — Reuters

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https://www.thesundaily.my/world/singapore-reports-14-new-cases-of-coronavirus-in-biggest-daily-jump-MI2129358

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March 15, 2020
Singaporeans should avoid overseas travel, government says

SINGAPORE: Singapore’s health ministry on Sunday urged its citizens to defer all non-essential travel abroad in an unprecedented move for the Asian transport hub, as part of new measures to control the coronavirus that is fast spreading around the world.

Singapore will also tell all entering the country with recent travel history to the Asean group of nations, Japan, Switzerland or the United Kingdom to quarantine themselves at their place of residence for 14 days, the ministry added.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) comprises Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Countries, such as the UK and Switzerland have “abandoned” any attempt at containing the spread of the infection, said Lawrence Wong, a minister who co-heads Singapore’s virus fighting taskforce.

“That’s why we are more concerned that Singapore may well be exposed to a new wave of infections, which is potentially larger than what we have seen previously.”

The majority of new infections being reported in Singapore, an island nation with a population of 5.7 million, over the past few days have been people returning from overseas rather than local transmissions.

At least five cases of Singaporeans have been linked to a large religious gathering in Malaysia that was attended by more than 10,000 people from several countries.

Short-term visitors who are nationals of its Southeast Asian neighbours will also have to seek prior approval from the health ministry before their journey to prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed.

The restriction comes after a number of cases that entered Singapore with the specific purpose of seeking healthcare, the health ministry said. There have been two cases of Indonesians who had coronavirus symptoms at home before arriving in Singapore, known for its superior healthcare facilities.

The measures will be reviewed after a month. They will not apply to sea and land crossings with Malaysia, which will have separate precautions. Wong said 300,000 people a day move across the land checkpoints with Malaysia.

The Asian travel hub has previously announced bans on visitors from several coronavirus-hit countries, including China, Italy and France.

Singapore has won international praise for its painstaking onslaught on the virus since it initially emerged with one of the highest tallies of infections outside China. But other nations have since outpaced it.

Singapore has reported 212 infections, but no fatalities. Globally, more than 150,000 people have been infected while over 5,800 have died, a Reuters tally shows. — Reuters

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https://www.thesundaily.my/world/singaporeans-should-avoid-overseas-travel-government-says-XI2129044

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March 15, 2020
Covid-19: 41 new cases reported, tally now 238

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 41 new COVID-19 cases were reported as at noon today, bringing cumulative cases in the country to 238, Health Director-General Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said.

He said all 41 new cases were linked to the tabligh religious gathering, and they involved 37 patient under investigation (PUI) cases while four more are close contact cases.

“To date, a total 203 cases are still being treated, with five in the intensive care unit (ICU) and requiring ventilator support. The five are also being given anti-viral treatment.

“Also, as of today, a total 1,321 samples from influenza-like-illnesses (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) have been tested at the Institute for Medical Research (IMR), all public health laboratories and hospitals. Of those, three samples tested positive for COVID-19,” he said in a statement, here today.

In another development, two earlier cases (case 35 and 61) have recovered and have been discharged from the Sungai Buloh hospital, he said.

This brings the number of recovered cases to 35 so far.

Dr Noor Hisham also advised the public to remain calm and not to spread inaccurate information with regard to the tabligh religious gathering that took place from Feb 28-March 1.

Also, to prevent risk of infection on those from the vulnerable communities and those prone to infection, especially the Orang Asli community, the Health Ministry (MOH) is advising organisations or groups who have plans to conduct activities with these communities to postpone them, he said.

Dr Noor Hisham said the ministry will continue to provide health services to rural communities through outreach activities.

“The ministry also welcomes any form of medical aid, contributions or collaborations from any party, including non-governmental organisations,” he said, adding that offers or inquiries can be submitted through the ministry’s email cprc@moh.gov.my.

Meanwhile in an updated statement issued at 7pm, the MOH said a total 4,942 participants from the tabligh event at the Sri Petaling mosque have been identified.

Of these, 3,069 reported themselves in at Health Clinics for examination and screening while another 137 were referred to hospitals.

“Only 1,634 of them experienced respiratory tract infection symptoms and samples were taken, while 2,932 of them were asked to undergo home surveillance for 14 days from the last day of the gathering. Investigations and tracking of the event participants is ongoing,” the statement read. — Bernama

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https://www.thesundaily.my/local/covid-19-41-new-cases-reported-tally-now-238-EC2127446

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March 14, 2020
Covid-19: 1,000 housemen to assist government hospitals

JOHOR BARU: The Ministry of Health (MOH) will station 1,000 housemen at government hospitals nationwide to help smoothen the day-to-day operations following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba (pix) said all the trainee doctors would undergo a five-day induction training starting from Monday including handling of Covid-19 elements.

Their immediate stationing at the hospitals is to relieve the burden of existing doctors who are focusing their attention on Covid-19 cases.

“They (trainees) have to undergo an induction course and we (MOH) will provide them with skills pertaining to Covid-19 elements before they enter the MOH system,“ he told reporters after hearing a briefing on the Covid-19 situation at Permai Hospital, here, today.

Also present were Johor Health and Environment Committee Chairman R. Vidyananthan and Johor Health Director Dr Aman Rabu.

On the tabligh members who attended a gathering at the Sri Petaling Jamek Mosque, Kuala Lumpur, from Feb 27 to March 1, he said 508 participants from the state who attended the programme had volunteered to have health checks on Covid-19.

“Ninety-four patients were treated at the Permai Hospital with 21 of them positive for Covid-19.

“There are 73 others who are Persons Under Investigation (PUI) for Covid-19 including 13 who are tabligh members who had attended the gathering,“ he said, calling on those who had attended the gathering to volunteer for health examination.

At the same time, the Tenggara Member of Parliament called on the public to respect the government’s decision that all gatherings including international meetings, sports, social and religious events be postponed or canceled accordingly until April 30.

“Concerning the limit of a mass gathering, we have heard the Prime Minister’s (Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin) message that there should be no gathering in the current situation, I urge the people not to hold a public gathering of more than 50 people at any one time,“ he said, advising the public to practice good hygiene. especially washing their hands.

At the same time, he said MOH also urged private hospitals to limit visiting hours as done in government hospitals to reduce the risk of Covid-19 infection.

“We have called for the co-operation of private hospitals to be more stringent in this regard and, the latest, we have reached an understanding with private hospital in dealing with Covid-19,“ he said. — Bernama

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https://www.thesundaily.my/local/covid-19-1000-housemen-to-assist-government-hospitals-XC2127473

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March 14, 2020
Stop giving excuses, get yourselves screened, Perlis Mufti tells tabligh members

KANGAR: Some tabligh (Islamic movement) members from Perlis who attended a gathering at the Sri Petaling Mosque in Kuala Lumpur last month gave several excuses when they were asked to undergo health screening.

Perlis Mufti Associate Professor Datuk Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin (pix) in a posting through his Facebook page said in fact, he was informed they have yet to go for the screening as they believe the disease is from Allah and if they are infected it is His will, so they will just have to accept it.

“Some also argued that a mosque is a sacred place and they will be protected, fear nothing but Allah or that they will die a martyr and many other excuses,“ he said.

As such, he urged them to undergo health check-ups to ensure the infection did not continue to spread.

Mohd Asri said it is unfair to burden the Health Ministry further in hunting down the tabligh members to get them screened.

“Give your cooperation, think of the other Muslims and non-Muslims. Do not go to mosques until you have been confirmed healthy,“ he added.

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https://www.thesundaily.my/local/stop-giving-excuses-get-yourselves-screened-perlis-mufti-tells-tabligh-members-DC2127423

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March 14, 2020
End in sight, but flare-ups likely in the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Remarks by Dr Ibrahima Socé Fall, World Health Organization Assistant Director-General, Emergency Response

Good afternoon.

I hope that your busy week was interrupted, like mine, with a moment of joy on Tuesday.

That moment was the celebration of a woman being discharged from an Ebola treatment centre in Beni. Her name is Masiko.

She was the last person in the Democratic Republic of the Congo confirmed to have Ebola.

Health workers and other responders sacrificed a lot to get to this point.

Since the outbreak was declared in August 2018 there have been 420 attacks on health facilities in DRC, resulting in 11 deaths and 86 injuries among health care workers and patients.

It’s been a huge amount of work. At the peak of the outbreak, more than 120 cases were being reported each week. 28 health zones were affected, with cases appearing 1200 kilometres apart. In response:
- 11 labs have been set up to test around 3500 samples each week
- 11 Ebola treatment centres were set up to care for people with Ebola
- 300 000 people have been vaccinated
- 250 000 contacts have been registered
- 26 000 safe and dignified burials have been conducted
- More than 3000 health facilities were identified for infection prevention and control support
- More than 1000 metric tonnes of supplies have been delivered
- An Ebola vaccine has been licensed, and two treatments found to be highly effective
- Almost 160 000 million people have been screened for Ebola symptoms at borders or other points of control
This work is continuing. The outbreak isn’t over. WHO recommends waiting two full incubation periods – that’s 42 days – after the last person tests negative a second time before declaring the end of the outbreak.

We must stay in active response mode to get us over that finish line.

We have to be prepared for other cases emerging. It’s is a very real risk.

Remember that during the Ebola outbreak in West Africa flare-ups of new cases occurred after the end of the outbreak.

There are four reasons why new cases may emerge during this 42-day period, or even after the end of the outbreak.
- First, because of the complex security environment, Ebola transmission outside of groups under monitoring is possible.
- Second, Ebola virus can persist in used needles, syringes or vials for several weeks.
- Third, Ebola virus can persist in the body fluids of survivors for many months, and can be transmitted well after recovery, or in rare cases can result in relapse – as we’ve already seen during this outbreak.
- Finally, Ebola virus is present in an animal reservoir in the region, and there is always a risk of a new spillover to humans.
This is why it’s critical to maintain surveillance and rapid response capacities.

And that’s what we are doing. We’re still in full response mode.

In addition to the activities I already mentioned, I have to underline how critical it is to continue supporting the Survivor Programme, which provides follow-up care for almost all of the 1169 survivors in 26 health areas in North Kivu and Ituri. The programme also helps reduce the risks of re-introduction events.

We need to continue this work until the end of the outbreak, to keep the capacity in place to rapidly respond to flare-ups, to keep supporting survivors after the outbreak, and to transition the capacities built in this response toward building a stronger health system.

But to be very frank, right now the world risks dropping the baton at the finish line. WHO faces an immediate US $20 million funding gap. If no new resources are received, we will run out of money before the end of the outbreak.

We appreciate the generosity of donors who have supported the response since August 2018. Now we need to get over the finish line. WHO is calling on the international community to help us end this outbreak, and keep our promises to communities to build a stronger health system.

If we are forced to scale back operations because of a lack of funds, and then a new case emerges, we might not have the people and resources on the ground that we need to shut down transmission quickly. Just a single case could re-ignite the epidemic.

That would be a tragedy. An avoidable tragedy.

It is important that the global community doesn’t only focus efforts when there is an immediate threat, then walk away when the threat subsides.

The health system has to be strong to stop much more than Ebola. It has to stop malaria, measles, cholera, and now COVID-19.

There is a lot more work to do.

Thank you.

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https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/06-03-2020-end-in-sight-but-flare-ups-likely-in-the-ebola-outbreak-in-the-democratic-republic-of-the-congo

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March 7, 2020