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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 Feb 4 to noon today.
In Malaysia, case numbers stood at 5.03 million and globally, the virus has infected more than 677 million people and caused over 6.77 million deaths. Some 649 million patients have so far recovered from the virus.
The COVID-19 pandemic, which is now in its fourth year, has affected 229 countries and territories.
KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama) – New daily COVID-19 cases in the country are flattening, with only 1,230 infections reported for the week from Feb 4 to Feb 9 from the previous week’s surge.
For the record, new daily cases for the week Jan 28 to Feb 2 stood at 1,629 with the highest figure at 324 recorded on Feb 2.
Out of 269 new daily COVID-19 cases yesterday, only one imported and zero death cases were reported. Zero death cases were recorded on Feb 5 and Feb 8.
The second batch of rescuers from Malaysia comprises 20 Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) personnel, JBPM (30) and 30 members of the Civil Defence Force (APM). --fotoBERNAMA (2022) ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
According to the Ministry of Health (MOH)’s MOHNOW data from as of 11.59pm yesterday, active COVID-19 cases in the country stood at 9,786 and of the total, 9,391 cases (96 per cent) were home quarantined.
Meanwhile, out of 269 new daily cases yesterday, eight (8) states reported two digit figures namely Kuala Lumpur (77), Selangor (65), Perak (19), Melaka (18), Sarawak (16), Pahang (15), Kedah (11) and Johor (10).
Six (6) states recorded one digit figures namely Putrajaya (9), Penang (8), Sabah (8), Terengganu (7), Kelantan (3) and Negeri Sembilan (3).
As of yesterday, total cumulative COVID-19 cases in the country stood at 5,038,812 with 4,992,080 recoveries and 36,946 deaths. The pandemic hit the nation on Jan 25, 2020. Malaysia entered the transition to endemic phase on April 1, 2022.
With a cumulative figure of 5,038,812 COVID-19 cases, Malaysia now ranked 28th out of 229 nations/territories struck by the pandemic. Ahead of Malaysia is Chile (5,133,941) and Ukraine (5,376,812).
According to Worldometer, of the list of 229 countries, Japan reported the highest new daily cases (32,969) followed by Taiwan (20,920) and the United States (18,717).
On COVID-19 fatalities, the United States (US) reported the highest figure with 1,139,674 cases.
A total of 428 victims from 103 families have been relocated to temporary relief centres (PPS) at Dato' Seri Abdul Manan Ismail hall, Kuantan after their homes were inundated following continuous heavy downpour at night on Feb 6. --fotoBERNAMA (2022) ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Below are new daily COVID-19 cases during the week compiled by Bernama from Feb 4 to Fe 9:- (MOHNOW data as of 11:59pm yesterday)
Feb 4 (202), Feb 5 (211), Feb 6 (175), Feb 7 (184), Feb 8 (189) and Feb 9 (269).
New daily COVID-19 cases for the week compiled by Bernama from Jan 28 to Feb 3:-
Jan 28 (258), Jan 29 (269), Jan 30 (202), Jan 31 (251), Feb 1 (325), Feb 2 (324) and Feb 3 (340).
New daily COVID-19 cases in neighbouring Singapore for the week Feb 4 to Feb 9:-
Feb 4 (373), Feb 5 (299), Feb 6 (251), Feb 7 (631), Feb 8 (472) and Feb 9 (465).
COVID-19 SCENARIO IN MALAYSIA
Two children playing in the floodwaters at their home near Sungai Belat, Kuantan due to the overflow of the river recently. --fotoBERNAMA (2022) ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
(MOHNOW data as of 11.59pm yesterday)
Malaysia’s active COVID-19 cases as of yesterday stood at 9,786 and of the total, 9,391 (96 per cent) were quarantined at home.
Zero (0) case was reported at the COVID-19 Integrated Quarantine and Treatment Centre (PKRC); 387 cases (4 per cent) at hospitals; 4 cases (0 per cent) at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) without respiratory assistance (ABP) and 4 cases (0 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:-
Feb 4 (122), Feb 5 (146), Feb 6 (132), Feb 7 (118), Feb 8 (146) and Feb 9 (128).
Recovered cases:-
The full dress rehearsal for the Opening Ceremony of the Second Session of the 15th Parliament went smoothly at the Parliament Building, Kuala Lumpur. The opening ceremony will be held on Monday. Feb 13. --fotoBERNAMA (2022) ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Feb 4 (275), Feb 5 (272), Feb 6 (196), Feb 7 (253), Feb 8 (279) and Feb 9 (375).
*cumulative recovered cases as of 11.59pm yesterday stood at 4,992,080.
Imported cases:-
Feb 4 (6), Feb 5 (2), Feb 6 (1), Feb 7 (2), Feb 8 (1) and Feb 9 (1).
Active cases with probable infections:-
Feb 4 (10,136), Feb 5 (10,075), Feb 6 (10,053), Feb 7 (9,982), Feb 8 (9,892) and Feb 9 (9,786).
*state-to-state breakdown as of 11.59pm yesterday (269 cases)
*(+imported cases)
Latest Status of COVID-19 in Malaysia. New Cases by States. Source: MOH
Two digits - Kuala Lumpur 77 (+0), Selangor 65 (+0), Perak 19 (+0), Melaka 18 (+0), Sarawak 16 (+0), Pahang 15 (+0), Kedah 11 (+0) and Johor 10 (+0).
One digit - Putrajaya 9 (+0), Penang 8 (+0), Sabah 7 (+1), Terengganu 7 (+0), Kelantan 3 (+0) and Negeri Sembilan 3 (+0).
Zero case - Labuan and Perlis.
New record cases, imported cases, local transmission:
Feb 4 - New cases 202; Cumulative cases 5,037,784; Imported cases 6
Feb 5 - New cases 211; Cumulative cases 5.037,995; Imported cases 2
Feb 6 - New cases 175; Cumulative cases 5,038,170; Imported cases 1
Feb 7 - New cases 184; Cumulative cases 5,038,354; Imported cases 2
Feb 8 - New cases 189; Cumulative csaes 5,038,543; Imported cases 1
Feb 9 - New cases 269; Cumulative cases 5,038,812; Imported cases 1
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.
Feb 4 - 1(BID 0), Feb 5 - 0 (BID 0), Feb 6 - 1 (BID 1), Feb 7 - 2 (BID 0), Feb 8 – 0 (BID 0) and Feb 9 - 0 (BID 0).
*As of yesterday, Malaysia’s COVID-19 death toll
GLOBAL COVID-19 STATISTICS
Current Worldwide Statistics on COVID-19 and COVID-19 Case Summary in Malaysia. worldometers.info/coronavirus
According to Worldometer, total global COVID-19 cases during the week stood at 677,074,773 compared to 675,993,329 cases the previous week with 6,778,793 deaths (6,789,764 previously).
A total of 649,589,647 recovered cases were reported as against 648,291,872 previously.
Some 229 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 104,731,504 (+18,717)
India 44,683,748 (+NA)
France 39,555,761 (+3,653)
Germany 37,879,714 (NA)
Brazil 36,907,890 (+9,733)
Japan 32,879,625 (+32,969)
South Korea 30,311,979 (+14,664)
Italy 25,488,166 (NA)
UK 24,293,752 (NA)
Russia 22,035,133 (+12,301)
Below is a breakdown of cumulative COVID-19 cases and (+new daily cases) among Southeast Asian nations
*No information (NA).
Vietnam 13th spot - 11,526,627 (+17)
Indonesia 20th spot - 6,732,179 (+220)
Malaysia 28th spot - 5,038,812 (+269)
Thailand 31st spot - 4,727,236 (NA)
Philippines 37th spot - 4,074,299 (+162)
Singapore 45th spot - 2,220,999 (+465)
Myanmar 84th spot - 633,859 (+9)
Brunei 107th spot - 276,825 (NA)
Laos 113th spot - 217,996 (+4)
Cambodia 125th spot - 138,700 (+NA)
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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.
-- The pre endemic scenario shows the XBB variant was dominant in the spread of COVID-19 in the country based on the genetic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 throughout December 2022, comprising 55.4 per cent, followed by the BA.2.75 variant (20.8 per cent) and BQ.1 variant (10.8 per cent).
-- The XBB variant was the main variant spreading among Malaysians since October 2022. Both the XBB and BA.2.75 variants are categorised by WHO as Lineage Under Monitoring (LUM).
-- One of the Omicron sub-variants originally detected in October 2022 is XBB.1.5, a recombinant of two BA.2 sublineages. It is on the rise in the US and Europe and has now been identified in more than 25 countries.
-- Some scientists have nicknamed the XBB.1.5 Omicron strain as ‘Kraken’ with the potential of spawning more dangerous variants. WHO has announced that it had commissioned a risk assessment that outlines the new threats the XBB.1.5 variant poses, if any.
-- In China, the BA.5.2 and BF.7 variants accounted for almost 80 per cent of the variants that are currently found to be spreading rapidly in the republic.
-- Malaysia’s new daily cases, which previously surged to over 30,000 (33,406 on March 5, 2022), have since declined to the lowest level at 101 on Jan 24, 2023. For the record, active COVID-19 cases in the country on March 5, 2022 stood at 311,206.
Translated by Salbiah Said
-- BERNAMA
