<
span style="font-size:14px">By Melati Mohd Ariff
This is Bernama’s weekly roundup on COVID-19 and related matters in Malaysia and globally from June 4 till noon today.
In Malaysia, cases numbers have exceeded 4.52 million and globally, the virus has infected more than 538 million people and caused over 6.32 million deaths. Some 511 million patients have so far recovered from the virus.
The COVID-19 pandemic, which is now in its third year, has affected 228 countries and territories.
KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama) – New daily COVID-19 cases in the country remained below 2,000 for two consecutive weeks with 1,887 cases reported yesterday (June 9).
Of the 1,887 cases, Selangor contributed 776 cases followed by Kuala Lumpur with 371 cases and Perak with 143 cases.
Other states reported two digit numbers, namely Negeri Sembilan with 89 cases, Penang (84), Putrajaya (80), Sabah (67), Sarawak (65), Johor (56), Melaka (46), Kedah (43), Pahang (25), Kelantan (24) and Terenganu (10). Two states with one digit figure are Perlis with seven (7) cases and Labuan (1).
Malaysians spend their holidays with families and friends at Chew Jetty, George Town, Penang in conjunction with the official birthday celebration of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. --fotoBERNAMA (2022) ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
With new daily cases of 1,877, Malaysia’s cumulative COVID-cases now stood at 4,520,852, according to the Ministry of Health (MOH).
Below is the breakdown of new daily COVID-19 cases during the week compiled by Bernama (June 4 to June 9):-
June 4 (1,591), June 5 (1,358), June 6 (1,330), June 7 (1,128), June 8 (1,518) and June 9 (1,887).
Record new daily COVID-19 cases (May 28 to June 3) are as follows: -
May 28 (1,645), May 29 (1,155), May 30 (1,325), May 31 (1,451), June 1 (1,809), June 2 (1,877) and June 3 (1,844).
Masks are essential for curbing the spread of COVID-19. However, the environment is in danger of being another victim if masks are not disposed of carefully. --fotoBERNAMA (2022) ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
A total of 1,399 recovered cases were reported yesterday, bringing the cumulative figure as of 11.59 pm on June 9 to 4,463,070 cases.
Overall, for the period from June 4 to June 9, new daily COVID-19 cases in the country dropped nearly five (5) per cent to 8,812 cases compared to 9,262 for the same period (May 28 to June 2).
During the week under review, only one (1) new cluster was detected, that is on June 8, education cluster (Hilir 3 Cluster), involving Kota Bharu district in Kelantan. As of June 8, 18 positive COVID-19 cases were reported.
Overall, a total of 7,015 clusters were detected by MOH during the COVID-19 pandemic which hit the nation over the last two years and as of yesterday (June 9), only four (4) clusters were still active.
The first batch of 295 Malaysian haj pilgrims arrived at the Prince Mohammad Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah at about 9.30 pm on June 5. --fotoBERNAMA (2022) ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Starting April 1, Malaysia entered its transition to endemic phase of COVID-19 as an exit strategy that allows Malaysians to return to near-normal life after battling the pandemic for nearly two years.
Several COVID-19 SOPs have been relaxed effective May 1. Among others, face mask wearing outdoors is optional, physical distancing is no longer required and MySejahtera check-in requirement is also lifted.
With a cumulative figure of 4,520,852 Malaysia is now ranked 24th in the list of 228 nations/territories struck by the COVID-19 pandemic. Ahead of Malaysia is Portugal (4,894,982) and Ukraine (5,014,929).
According to Worldometer, of the list of 228 nations, Germany recorded the highest number of new daily infections with 75,494 cases reported yesterday, followed by Taiwan with 72,967 cases and the United States (US) with 68,253 cases.
On COVID-19 fatalities, the US reported the highest death cases with 1,035,239 cases reported yesterday.
Meanwhile, COVIDNOW data from MOH as of 11.59 pm yesterday showed 21,074 cases (95.5 per cent) were quarantined at home out of 22,074 active cases reported,
A total of 21 cases (0.1 per cent) were at the COVID-19 Integrated Quarantine and Treatment Centre (PKRC); 954 cases (4.3 per cent) at hospitals; 8 cases (0.0 per cent) at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) without respiratory assistance (APB) while 17 cases (0.1 per cent) at the ICU with ABP.
Meanwhile, for Malaysia’s COVID-19 infectivity rate or Ro/Rt value, MOH has started issuing its average weekly report and for the epidemiological (epid) week 22 on June 5 at 0.91.
As of yesterday, the state with the highest Ro/Rt value during the epid week 22 was Sabah (1.00) followed by Perak (0.96), Kuala Lumpur (0.94) and Putrajaya (0.94).
(*the lowest level of 0.52 was recorded on May 6).
The R-Naught or R0/Rt value of a virus indicates the infectivity rate or the number of new infections generated by each case. An R0 value of 0.5 would be needed to flatten this deadly virus’ infection curve.
COVID-19 SCENARIO IN MALAYSIA
Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia, Takahashi Katsuhiko speaking at a ceremony for the handing over of medical equipment from the Japanese government under the Socio-Economic Development Programme 2020 Malaysia to Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Setar, Kedah. --fotoBERNAMA (2022) ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Recovered cases:
June 4 (2,185), June 5 (1,620), June 6 (1,881), June 7 (1,547), June 8 (1,125) and June 9 (1,399).
*cumulative recovered cases as of June 9 stood at 4,463,070.
Active cases with probable infection:-
June 4 (22,447), June 5 (22,183), June 6 (21,630), June 7 (21,202), June 8 (21,589) and June 9 (22,074).
Breakdown of new daily cases (1,887):-
*state-by-state, as of 11:59 pm yesterday.
*(+imported cases)
Latest Status of COVID-19 in Malaysia. New Cases by States. Source: MOH
Three-digit new cases - Perak 142 (+1), Selangor 776 (+0) and Kuala Lumpur 371 (+0);
Two-digit new cases - Johor 51 (+5), Kedah 42 (+1), Kelantan 24 (+0), Melaka 46 (+0), Negeri Sembilan 89 (+0), Pahang 25 (+0), Penang 84 (+0), Sabah 67 (+0), Sarawak 64 (+1), Terengganu 10 (+0) and Putrajaya 80 (+0);
One-digit new cases - Perlis 7 (+0) and Labuan 1 (+0).
New record cases, imported cases, local transmission:
June 4 – New cases: 1,591; Cumulative cases: 4,513,631; Imported cases: 5;
June 5 – New cases: 1,358; Cumulative cases: 4,514,989; Imported cases: 2;
June 6 – New cases: 1,330; Cumulative cases: 4,516,319; Imported cases: 4;
June 7 – New cases: 1,128; Cumulative cases: 4,517,447; Imported cases: 1;
June 8 - New cases: 1,518; Cumulative cases: 4,518,965; Imported cases: 1;
June 9 - New cases: 1,887; Cumulative cases: 4,520,852; Imported cases: 8.
Meanwhile, total active clusters in the country as of yesterday stood at only four (4). Overall, a total of 7,015 clusters were detected in the country.
For the week compiled by Bernama, only one (1) new cluster was detected on June 8, that is education cluster (Hilir 3 Cluster) involving Kota Bharu district, Kelantan. As of June 8, a total of 18 positive COVID-19 clusters were reported.
New record cases and breakdown of clusters: -
June 4 - No cluster;
June 5 - No cluster;
June 6 - No cluster;
June 7 - No cluster;
June 8 - 1 (education 1);
June 9 - No cluster.
The daily breakdown in fatalities is as follows:
*BID = Brought-in-Dead are cases outside the hospital and those brought to the hospital's forensic department; positive COVID-19 cases after PT PCR tests conducted.
June 4 - 5 (BID 2), June 5 - 2 (BID 1), June 6 - 2 (BID 1), June 7 - 9 (BID 4), June 8 - 6 (BID 3) and June 9 - 3 (BID 2).
*Total fatalities as of yesterday stood at 35,708 cases.
GLOBAL COVID-19 STATISTICS
Current Worldwide Statistics on COVID-19 and COVID-19 Case Summary in Malaysia. worldometers.info/coronavirus
According to Worldometer, total COVID-19 cases globally to date stood at 538,716,060 (previous week at 534,750,202) with 6,328,143 fatalities (6,318,996 previously). Recovered patients stood at 511,900,970 (previously at 505,533,659). Recovered patients stood at 505,047,976 (previously at 501,496,528).
Some 228 countries are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and those in the top 10 of the list are the US, India, Brazil, France, Germany, the United Kingdom (UK) , Russia, South Korea, Italy and Turkiye.
The breakdown of the top 10 nations (+ new record daily cases) is as follows:
US 87,094,528 (+68,253);
India 43,207,265 (+9,743);
Brazil 31,360,850 (+45,073);
France 29,753,370 (+40,151);
Germany 26,727,874 (+75,494);
UK 22,373,146 (+10,079);
Russia 18,365,879 (+3,774);
South Korea 18,365,879 (+12,146);
Italy 17,589,595 (+23,042);
Turkiye 15,072,747 (+no information).
Besides Malaysia, the Southeast Asian nations namely Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Brunei, have joined the list of 127 countries with more than 100,000 COVID-19 cases
The cumulative breakdown of COVID-19 cases (+new daily cases) is as follows:-
Vietnam in 12th spot 12 - 10,728,720 (+802);
Indonesia in 19th spot - 6,058,736 (+556);
Malaysia in 24th spot - 4,520,852 (+1,887);
Thailand in 25th spot - 4,477,052 (+3,185);
Philippines in 34th spot - 3,692,336 (+252);
Singapore in 52nd spot - 1,332,656 (+3,431);
Myanmar in 80th spot 80 - 613,415 (+10);
Laos in 111th spot - 210,129 (+21);
Brunei in 122nd spot 122 - 151,950 (+390) and
Cambodia in 125th spot - 136,262 (+no information).
COVID-19 BACKGROUND
-- The World Health Organisation (WHO)’s China country office was informed of cases of pneumonia that were detected in Wuhan on Dec 31, 2019. On Jan 7, 2020 the Chinese authorities confirmed that the newly detected novel coronavirus can be transmitted from human to human.
-- Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-COV).
-- A study of the virus’ genetic sequence suggested similarities to that seen in snakes and bats. China health officials identified the Huanan Seafood Market in Wuhan as the source of the transmission of the coronavirus.
-- On Feb 11, 2020, WHO announced the official name of the virus, COVID-19, which is an acronym for coronavirus 2019 – CO stands for corona, VI for virus and D for disease.
-- On Jan 30, 2020, WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak as a global emergency and on March 11, COVID-19 was declared a pandemic.
-- WHO has described the COVID-19 outbreak as much more dangerous than the A H1N1 Influenza, also known as Swine Flu.
-- Swine Flu, which occurred between January 2009 and August 2010, infected more than 1.6 million people and caused 18,449 fatalities. It was first detected in Mexico and later in the United States in March 2009.
-- COVID-19 was detected in Malaysia on Jan 25, 2020, when three Chinese citizens, who had entered Malaysia through Johore from Singapore on Jan 23, were tested positive for the disease.
-- New variants of the COVID-19 coronavirus have since emerged in the United Kingdom (identified as B117) in September 2020, South Africa (501Y.V2) in October 2020 and India (B.1.617), also in October 2020.
-- Cumulatively, Malaysia's COVID-19 cases have breached the one million mark as on July 25, with 1,013,438 cases. The first time daily cases reached the five-digit level was on July 13 with 11,079 cases.
-- WHO on Nov 26 designated a new variant of COVID-19, named Omicron, a variant of concern. It was first detected in Gauteng Province, South Africa.
-- Scientists at the IHU have detected a new variant named B.1.640.2 at end-November last year, with 46 mutations on its spike protein and nicknamed it IHU.
-- Meanwhile, Israel has confirmed its first case of an individual infected with 'Flurona', a term coined to describe the condition of being infected with COVID-19 and the seasonal flu simultaneously. (Jan 2, 2022).
-- April 1, 2022 – Malaysia enters the transition to endemic phase of COVID-19 as an exit strategy that allows Malaysians to return to normalcy after almost two years of battling COVID-19.
-- May 1, 2022 – On April 27, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin announced the easing of several restrictions, which include the lifting of the requirement for check-ins on MySejahtera effective May 1.
Translated by Salbiah Said
BERNAMA
