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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 Dec 24 to noon today.
In Malaysia, case numbers stood at 5.02 million and globally, the virus has infected more than 663 million people and caused over 6.69 million deaths. Some 635 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) – Malaysia’s new daily COVID-19 cases have dropped to only 423 infections on Dec 27, the lowest to date for 2022.
During the week compiled by Bernama from Dec 24 to Dec 29, new daily cases stood at three digits and only 3,437 cases were reported during the period, down 34 per cent from the previous week Dec 17 to Dec 22 of 5,219 cases.
Yesterday (Dec 29), 679 new daily cases were reported including six (6) death cases and four (4) imported cases. Five (5) out of six death cases were reported in Perak and one (1) in Pahang.
Total cumulative COVID-19 cases in the country, according to data from the Ministry of Health (MOH)’s MOHNOW as of 11.59 pm yesterday stood at 5,025,581 cases. Out of the remaining 12,670 active cases, 94.6 per cent (11,991) were quarantined at home.
Members of a family enjoying bonding moments by the beach at Pantai Pandak, Chendering in Kuala Terengganu during the school holidays. --fotoBERNAMA (2022) ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
For state-by-state breakdown, Selangor recorded three digit numbers with 221 cases.
Eleven states reported two digit figures namely Kuala Lumpur (94), Sarawak (79), Melaka (50), Penang (44), Perak (34), Kedah (30), Johor (26), Kelantan (24), Putrajaya (21), Pahang (19) and Terengganu (14).
One digit figures were reported in Sabah (9), Negeri Sembilan (9), Labuan (3) and Perlis (2).
‘Flying Fox’ extreme sport enthusiasts having a whale of a time at Zip Line Taman Tasik Seksyen 14, Shah Alam during the school break. --fotoBERNAMA (2022) ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
New daily COVID-19 cases during the week compiled by Bernama from Dec 24 to Dec 29:-
Dec 24 (766), Dec 25 (609), Dec 26 (480), Dec 27 (423), Dec 28 (480) and Dec 29 (679).
New COVID-19 cases during the week compiled by Bernama from Dec 17 to Dec 23:-
Dec 17 (993), Dec 18 (847), Dec 19 (721), Dec 20 (816), Dec 21 (984), Dec 22 (858) and Dec 23 (902).
New daily COVID-19 cases in neighbouring Singapore for the period Dec 24 to Dec 29 are as below:-
Dec 24 (1,017), Dec 25 (710), Dec 26 (394), Dec 27 (606), Dec 28 (1,547) and Dec 29 (1,116).
With a cumulative figure of 5,025,581 cases, Malaysia now ranked 28th in the list of 228 countries/territories hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Ahead of Malaysia are Chile (5,026,534) and Ukraine (5,354,738).
According to Worldometer, of the list of 228 countries, Japan reported the highest new daily cases (192,063) followed by South Korea (71,427) and the United States (31,895).
On COVID-19 fatalities, the United States (US) reported the highest figure with 1,117,750 cases.
COVID-19 SCENARIO IN MALAYSIA
Fishing enthusiasts using the ‘sempat’ (strike) technique while fishing for Patin fish at Kampung Jubakar Pantai, Tumpat in Kelantan. --fotoBERNAMA (2022) ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
MOHNOW data as at 11.59pm yesterday showed out of 12,670 active COVID-19 cases, 11,991 (94.6 per cent) were quarantined at home.
Zero (0) case was reported at the COVID-19 Integrated Quarantine and Treatment Centre (PKRC); 645 cases (5.1 per cent) at hospitals; 13 cases (0.1 per cent) at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) without respiratory assistance (ABP) and 21 cases (0.2 per cent) at the ICU with ABP.
For the record, there are five categories of COVID-19 infections:-
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.
Total patients warded:-
Dec 24 (266), Dec 25 (215), Dec 26 (215), Dec 27 (210), Dec 28 (236) and Dec 29 (243).
Recovered cases:-
Nearly 200 people on a boat at sea to fish for 'siput mentarang' (Pholas orientalis) at Pantai Kuala Sungai Baru, Simpang Empat, Kangar in Perlis. -fotoBERNAMA (2022) ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Dec 24 (1,026), Dec 25 (737), Dec 26 (655), Dec 27 (834), Dec 28 (957) and Dec 29 (923).
*cumulative recovered cases as of 11.59pm yesterday stood at 4,976,060.
Active cases with probable infections:-
Dec 24 (14,124), Dec 25 (13,977), Dec 26 (13,818), Dec 27 (13,401), Dec 28 (12,920) and Dec 29 (12,670).
Breakdown in new daily cases (679 cases):-
*state-to-state breakdown as of 11.59pm yesterday
*(+imported cases)
Latest Status of COVID-19 in Malaysia. New Cases by States. Source: MOH
Three digits - Selangor 221 (+0)
Two digits - Kuala Lumpur 93 (+1), Sarawak 79 (+0), Melaka 50 (+0), Penang 44 (+0), Perak 33 (+1), Kedah 30 (+0), Johor 26 (+0), Kelantan 23 (+1), Putrajaya 21 (+0), Pahang 18 (+1) and Terengganu 14 (+0).
One digit - Sabah 9 (+0), Negeri Sembilan 9 (+0), Labuan 3 (+0) and Perlis 2 (+0).
New record cases, imported cases, local transmission:
Dec 24 - New cases 766; Cumulative cases 5,022,910; Imported cases 0
Dec 25 - New cases 609; Cumulative cases 5,023,519; Imported cases 2
Dec 26 - New cases 480; Cumulative cases 5,023,999; Imported cases 7
Dec 27 - Imported cases 423; Cumulative cases 5,024,422; Imported cases 2
Dec 28 - New cases 480; Cumulative cases 5,024,902; Imported cases 6
Dec 29 - Imported cases 679; Cumulative cases 5,025,581; Imported cases 4
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.
Dec 24 - 1(BID 0), Dec 25 - 0 (BID 0), Dec 26 - 4 (BID 0), Dec 27 - 6 (BID 1), Dec 28 - 4 (BID 1), and Dec 29 - 6 (BID 1).
*As of yesterday, Malaysia’s COVID-19 death toll stood at 36,851.
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 stood at 663,882,823 cases compared to 661,071,083 cases during the previous week with 6,693,618 deaths (6,684,234 cases [previously).
A total of 635,945,230 recovered cases were reported from 633,855,427 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, Germany, Brazil, Japan, South Korea, Italy, the United Kingdom (UK) and Russia.
The breakdown of the top 10 nations (+ new record daily cases) is as follows:-
*No information (NA).
US 102,477,627 (+31,895)
India 44,679,266 (+329)
France 36,302,415 (+24,436)
Germany 37,313,240 (NA)
Brazil 36,302,415 (+27,269)
Jepun 28,956,286 (+192,063)
South Korea 28,931,140 (+71,427)
Italy 25,021,606 (NA)
UK 24,135,084 (NA)
Russia 21,787,172 (+6,146)
Below is a breakdown of cumulative COVID-19 cases and (+new daily cases) among Southeast Asian nations, including Malaysia:-
*No information (NA).
Vietnam 13th spot - 11,525,013 (+234)
Indonesia 20th spot - 6,718,775 (+685)
Malaysia 28th spot - 5,025,581 (+679)
Thailand 31st spot - 4,721,808 (NA)
Philippines 37th spot - 4,063,316 (+619)
Singapore 45th spot - 2,200,353 (+1,116)
Myanmar 83rd spot - 633,647 (+8)
Brunei 110th spot - 261,440 (NA)
Laos 113th spot - 217,754 (+25)
Cambodia 125th spot - 138,564 (+13)
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GLOBAL COVID-19 STATISTICS
According to Worldometer, total COVID-19 cases globally stood at 660,249,602 (previous week at 657,025,803 cases) with 6,680,683 death cases (6,669,804 cases previously).
A total of 633,319,207 recoveries were reported as against 631,071,466 cases during the previous week.
Some 228 countries are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and those in the top 10 of the list are the US, India, France, Germany, Brazil, South Korea, Japan, Italy, the United Kingdom (UK) and Russia.
The breakdown of the top 10 nations (+ new record daily cases) is as follows:-
*No information (NA).
US 102,173,897 (+43,263)
India 44,677,820 (+226)
France 39,075,247 (+49,517)
Germany 37,136,414 (NA)
Brazil 36,080,427 (+43,392)
South Korea 28,466,390 (+75,744)
Japan 27,765,782 (+184,375)
Italy 24,884,034 (NA)
UK 24,089,042 (NA)
Russia 21,743,302 (+7,451)
Below is a breakdown of cumulative COVID-19 cases and (+new daily cases) among Southeast Asian nations, including Malaysia:-
*No information (NA).
Vietnam 13th spot - 11,523,780 (+213)
Indonesia 20th spot - 6,713,879 (+1,053)
Malaysia 27th spot - 5,021,242 (+858)
Thailand 31st spot - 4,718,908 (NA)
Philippines 37th spot - 4,059,369 (+1,031)
Singapore 45th spot - 2,193,890 (+1,200)
Myanmar 83rd spot - 633,590 (+5)
Brunei 110th spot - 261,440 (NA)
Laos 113th spot - 217,586 (+60)
Cambodia 125th spot - 138,467 (+10)
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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
