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strong>By Melati Mohd Ariff
This is Bernama’s weekly roundup on COVID-19 and related matters in Malaysia and globally from Sept 17 to noon today.
In Malaysia, cases numbers have exceeded 4.82 million and globally, the virus has infected more than 619 million people and caused over 6.53 million deaths. Some 598 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 for September stayed below 2,500 cases with 2,245 infections reported yesterday (Sept 22) including six (6) imported cases.
To date, the lowest figure was reported on Sept 19 with 1,307 cases compared to 1,946 cases on Aug 29, the lowest for August.
During the week compiled by Bernama from Sept 17 to Sept 22, total cases stood at 10,541, a 12.5 per cent drop over the same period from Sept 10 to Sept 15 (12,049 cases).
Playing football in the wet and muddy field can be alot of fun for these boys in the village, which is rich in greenery. Homestay operators are tapping the rural setting as a tourism potential to revive their business. --fotoBERNAMA (2022) ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
According to COVIDNOW data from the Ministry of Health (MOH) as of 11.59 pm yesterday, out of 2,245 cases reported yesterday, seven (7) states recorded three digit figures namely Selangor (581), Kuala Lumpur (523), Perak (182), Sabah (178), Negeri Sembilan (137), Sarawak (136) and Penang (103).
Two digit cases were reported in Melaka (91), Kedah (76), Kelantan (70), Pahang (50), Johor (40), Terengganu (34) and Putrajaya (27).
One digit figure was reported in Perlis (9) and Labuan (8).
Below are new daily COVID-19 cases during the week compiled by Bernama from Sept 17 to Sept 22:-
Sept 17 (1,572), Sept 18 (1,639), Sept 19 (1,307), Sept 20 (1,667), Sept 21 (2,111) and Sept 22 (2,245).
New COVID-19 daily cases for the week (Sept 10 to Sept 16) are as follows:-
Sept 10 (1,971), Sept 11 (1,483), Sept 12 (1,847), Sept 13 (1,942), Sept 14 (2,431), Sept 15 (2,375) and Sept 16 (1,977).
New COVID-19 daily cases in neighbouring Singapore are as below:-
Sept 17 (1,847), Sept 18 (1,528), Sept 19 (1,307), Sept 20 (1,667), Sept 21 (2,111) and Sept 22 (2,545).
A total of 1,901 recovered COVID-19 cases were reported, bringing the cumulative figure to 4,764,219. Forfatalities, 12 cases were reported with total cumulative figure to date at 36,342.
COVID data from MOH as of 11.59 pm yesterday showed 24,440 cases (95.2 per cent) were quarantined at home out of 25,659 active cases.
One case (0.0 per cent) was reported at the COVID-19 Integrated Quarantine and Treatment Centre (PKRC); 1,163 cases (4.5 per cent) at hospitals; 20 cases (0.1 per cent) at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) without respiratory assistance (ABP) and 35 cases (0.1 per cent) at the ICU with ABP.
For the record, there are five categories of COVID-19 infections:-
Holiday makers enjoying their weekend getaway at the Forest Recreational Centre, Ulu Bendul, Kuala Pilah. --fotoBERNAMA (2022) ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
According to MOH, Category 1 is for patients with no symptoms; Category 2 is for patients with mild symptoms; Category 3 is for patients with pneumonia; Category 4 is for patients who require supplemental oxygen; and Category 5 is for the critically ill and need to be on ventilator support at the ICU.
With a cumulative figure of 4,826,220 cases, Malaysia now ranked 27th in the list of 228 countries/territories hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Ahead of Malaysia are Greece (4,875,215) and Austria (5,050,233).
According to Worldometer, of the list of 228 nations, Japan continued to record the highest new daily cases (61,478) followed by Russia (53,457) and Germany (50,800).
On COVID-19 fatalities, the US reported the highest number of COVID-19 fatalities with 1,080,836 cases.
COVID-19 SCENARIO IN MALAYSIA
Unfazed by the uncertain weather conditions, Malaysians seen enjoying their weekend break at a popular beach in Pantai Bersih, Butterworth. --fotoBERNAMA (2022) ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Recovered cases:-
Sept 17 (2,695), Sept 18 (2,056), Sept 19 (1,830), Sept 20 (2,028), Sept 21 (1,493) and Sept 22 (1,901).
*Cumulative recovered cases as of Sept 22 stood at 4,764,219.
Active cases with probable infections:-
Sept 17 (26,032), Sept 18 (25,611), Sept 19 (25,083), Sept 20 (24,715), Sept 21 (25,327) and Sept 22 (25,659).
Active cases with probable infections (2,245 cases):-
*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 digits - Selangor 581 (+0), Kuala Lumpur 523 (+0), Perak 182 (+0), Sabah 177 (+1), Negeri Sembilan 135 (+2), Sarawak 136 (+0) and Penang 102 (+1).
Two digits - Melaka 90 (+1), Kedah 75 (+1), Kelantan 70 (+0), Pahang 50 (+0), Johor 40 (+0), Terengganu 34 (+0) and Putrajaya 27 (+0).
One digit - Perlis 9 (+0) and Labuan 8 (+0).
New record cases, imported cases, local transmission:
Sept 17 - New cases 1,572; Cumulative cases 4,817,251; Imported cases 3.
Sept 18 - New cases 1,639; Cumulative cases 4,818.890; Imported cases 9.
Sept 19 - New cases 1,307; Cumulative cases 4,820,197; Imported cases 4.
Sept 20 - New cases 1,667; Cumulative cases 4,821,864; Imported cases 2.
Sept 21 - New cases 2,111; Cumulative cases 4,823,975 ; Imported cases 5.
Sept 22 – New cases 2,245; Cumulative cases 4,826,220; Imported cases 6.
Breakdown of new clusters is as follows:-
Kulim and Kampung Lenweng campsites which are located along the route to the peak of Gunung Ulu Sepat, Perak are among the attractions during public holidays. --fotoBERNAMA (2022) ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Sept 17 - 1(high risk group 1);
• Dua Jalan Padang Golf 2 cluster (Hulu Selangor, Selangor) - 10 cases.
Sept 18 - no cluster.
Sept 19 - 1 (high risk group);
• Dah Jalan Mendidih cluster (Kuala Muda, Kedah) - 26 kes.
Sept 20 - no cluster.
Sept 21 - no cluster.
Sept 22 - no cluster.
Overall, a total of 7,078 clusters were detected and as of Sept 22, 14 clusters were still active.
Record death cases are as below:-
*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.
Sept 17 - 2 (BID 2), Sept 18 - 4 (BID 1 ), Sept 19 - 5 (BID 1 ), Sept 20 - 7 (BID 1 ), Sept 21 - 6 (BID 1) and Sept 22 - 12 (BID 7).
*As of yesterday, Malaysia’s COVID-19 death toll stood at 36,342 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 619,122,512 compared to 616,537,103 cases during the previous week with 6,536,669 deaths (previously at 6,529,144). A total of 598,999,965 recovered cases were reported from 595,820,804 previously.
Some 228 countries are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and those in the top 10 of the list are the US, India, France, Brazil, Germany, the United Kingdom (UK), Italy, South Korea, Russia and Turkiye.
The breakdown of the top 10 nations (+ new record daily cases) is as follows:-
US 97,795,728 (+38,598)
India 44,555,634 (+2,592)
France 35,050,133 (+38,464)
Brazil 34,659,526 (+7,784)
Germany 32,905,086 (+50,800)
South Korea 24,535,940 (+32,972)
UK 23,585,305 (+no information)
Italy 22,241,369 (+22,523)
Japan 20,840,785 (+61,478)
Russia 20,651,559 (+53,457)
Below is a breakdown of cumulative COVID-19 cases and (+new daily cases) among Southeast Asian nations, including Malaysia:-
Vietnam in the 13th spot - 11,467,619 (+1,928)
Indonesia in the 19th spot - 6,417,490 (+2,162)
Malaysia in the 27th spot - 4,826,220 (+2,245)
Thailand in the 29th spot - 4,676,338 (+806)
Philippines in the 38th spot - 3,929,819 (+2,702)
Singapore in the 46th spot - 1,884,859 (+2,545)
Myanmar in the 84th spot - 620,444 (+409)
Brunei in the 111th spot - 224,610 (+no information)
Laos in the 113th spot - 215,615 (+60)
Cambodia in the 125th spot - 137,824 (+11)
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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
