Malaysia cancels mass gatherings as spike in COVID-19 infections brings total to 197
14 March, 2020
Malaysia reported 39 new COVID-19 infections on Friday (Mar 13), its highest upsurge in a single day to date.
The national total now stands at 197 cases, with four patients in the intensive care unit currently receiving breathing support and anti-viral treatment.
The COVID-19 patients comprise 177 Malaysians and 15 Chinese nationals, in addition to citizens from Indonesia, Italy, Japan and america.
The state of Selangor reported the most cases, with 105 patients, accompanied by the federal territory of Kuala Lumpur with 26 cases. Johor and Sabah have reported 16 and 15 cases respectively.
The spike in the amount of infections came as Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced that all mass gatherings, including conferences, sports meets and religious events, should be cancelled or postponed until Apr 30.
He also encouraged members of the public to apply good hygiene, along with use face masks and hand sanitisers.
Muhyiddin said the upsurge in coronavirus cases was because of two new clusters, mostly involving Malaysians.
So that you can counter the spread of COVID-19, Muhyiddin emphasised that Malaysia will maintain an inbound travel ban on the Chinese provinces of Hubei, Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Malaysia has also banned visitors from Hokkaido, Italy, Iran and South Korea.
He added that the Malaysian government will further tighten screening, restrict travel and offer special lanes for visitors from other affected countries.
On Thursday, Malaysia also imposed a travel ban on all arrivals from Denmark, effective Saturday.
Muhyiddin said Malaysia's tourism sector had likely suffered practically RM3.4 billion (US$800 million) in losses in the first 8 weeks of the year, and that the outbreak was likely to cut full-year gross domestic product by between 0.8 per cent and 1.2 %.
"Immediate steps need to implemented ... to lessen the impact of the pandemic on the country's economy," he said in a televised address, adding that the federal government would ensure a US$4.7 billion stimulus package announced last month was quickly and fairly implemented.
Muhyiddin said the united states was facing a "second wave" of infections, adding: "Predicated on current trends, this epidemic is likely to continue for a reasonably long period of time. It will not result in the longer term."
RELIGIOUS EVENT SPARKED NEW CLUSTER
Malaysia’s religious affairs minister Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri had previously said on Thursday that the COVID-19 situation was under control and that there is no requirement of Friday prayers to be suspended.
His remarks came a day following the Malaysian Health Ministry said efforts were being made to track those thought to have been potentially subjected to the coronavirus at a religious event held at Masjid Jamek Sri Petaling, in the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.
The tabligh event, also referred to as a religious rally, drew about 16,000 participants, most whom were Malaysians.
A participant from Brunei was thought to have contracted the coronavirus after attending the gathering. He tested positive on Wednesday and is Brunei’s first COVID-19 case. Brunei has since reported a total of 25 cases, mostly from the religious event.
The cluster has up to now infected at least 40 other Malaysians plus some Singaporeans.
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