37 of 41 new cases related to tabligh gathering

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia recorded 41 new Covid-19 cases yesterday, bringing the tally to 238.

This is the highest one-day spike on record. On Friday, the ministry recorded 39 new cases.

Of the 41 cases, 37 were related to the tabligh gathering at Masjid Jamek Seri Petaling, three were close contacts of Case 33 cluster and one had a travel history to Iran.

“With the 37 new cases, this brings the number of cumulative Covid-19 cases related to the gathering to 77,” said Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

Twenty-six cases were detected in Sabah, Negri Sembilan (11), Sarawak (six), Johor, Melaka, Selangor and Penang (five each) Kelantan (three), Perak, Labuan, Pahang, Kedah, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya (two each) and Perlis (one).

“All 77 cases are being treated in hospitals, with one case (patient) in the intensive care unit,” said Dr Noor Hisham.

Up to 7pm yesterday, he said, 4,942 participants in the tabligh gathering had been identified.

Of the total, 3,069 underwent testing and screening in clinics, while 137 people have been referred to hospitals.

Dr Noor Hisham said 1,634 people had respiratory tract infection, while 2,932 participants had been advised to undergo home isolation for 14 days.

“The investigation and identification of these participants are ongoing.”

He said state health departments had been working hard to track and screen the tabligh participants, including their close contacts.

Dr Noor Hisham said 203 Covid-19 patients had been warded, with five in the intensive care unit and requiring breathing ventilators. They were administered anti-viral medication.

He said Cases 35 and 61 had recovered and were discharged from Sungai Buloh Hospital.

“This brings the total number of recovered cases to 35.”

To prevent the spread of the virus in hospitals, Dr Noor Hisham said the ministry had limited the number of visitors to two per patient at a time.

Children below 12 and visitors with influenza symptoms such as sore throat, cough, flu, fever, vomiting and diarrhoea are not allowed to visit patients.

“High-risk visitors such as those with chronic illnesses and individuals with low immunity (such as cancer patients) are also not allowed hospital visits, except for emergencies.”

He advised the public to remain calm and not to disseminate unverified information on the tabligh gathering.

“The ministry would like to remind the public to adhere to the government’s decision for all international meetings, sporting, social and religious events to be postponed or cancelled until April 30. This decision will be reviewed once the Covid-19 situation improves.”

The ministry advised organisations or groups to postpone activities involving vulnerable communities, including Orang Asli communities.

The ministry, he added, would continue to provide health and medical services to those in the rural areas, including Orang Asli communities, through outreach programmes.

“The ministry welcomes medical aid, medical-related contributions or collaborations, including by non-governmental organisations.”

He said the aid and proposals could be sent to the ministry via cprc@moh.gov.my.