By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

The Ministry of Health (MOH) said Sunday (computer translated) that from January 10, 2020 until January 26, 2020 at 12.00 noon, the cumulative number of Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Patient-Under Investigation (PUI) cases; of which 14 are Malaysian nationals, eight Chinese nationals and one Jordanian.

Image/Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia

Out of the 23 cases of PUI, there is only one positive 2019-nCoV case of a 40-year-old Chinese citizen. Meanwhile, 18 cases of PUI were negative (12 Malaysians, 5 Chinese and 1 Jordanian) and had been discharged from the hospital. While four (4) of these PUI cases (2 Malaysian and 2 Chinese) were placed in isolation in several hospitals, their lab results will be known in the near future.

Meanwhile, of the 8 Chinese nationals who were in direct contact with Singapore’s first 2019-nCoV positive case, 3 of them were positive, a 65-year-old woman and two 2- and 11-year-old boys. There were 5 negative cases in which 4 people were sent back to China while another accompanied her children to the hospital.

Meanwhile, the 17 people who were in contact with the fourth positive case meeting were placed under the Monitoring and Exit Order at the designated premises pending their test results.

All four positive cases are in stable condition and are being monitored in isolation wards at MOH hospitals that have been identified as the reference hospitals for 2019-nCoV.

Considering the current situation, MOH continues to improve the prevention and control of the Novel Coronavirus infection outbreak. The suspected cases will be inspected and referred to the hospital for sampling and monitoring of case symptoms. These cases are monitored until the end of the incubation period of the virus, which is at least 14 days from the date of exposure or departure from China. This is in line with Section 14 of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342).

Robert Koch Quote

This procedure is performed to ensure that the prevention and control of the disease can be implemented. Any person who fails to comply with the direction issued by any authorized officer, upon conviction, shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two (2) years or to fine or to both under Section 24 (a) of the Act The same. MoH has been working with various agencies including the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) to help detect suspected cases and confirmed cases of isolation, in order to maintain order and public health.

In the early hours of the morning of January 26, 2020, the police helped MOH locate a child who had been taken by his family from a hospital in Johor without the hospital’s permission. The child is suspected to have 2019-nCoV disease and is being treated at the hospital. The case was successfully transported back to the hospital and is in stable condition and is still awaiting laboratory results. MoH congratulations and thank you for the cooperation of the police.

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The MOH would also like to advise people who plan to visit China to postpone their travel except for important matters that cannot be avoided. People especially travelers when traveling to China and after returning to Malaysia are advised to take the following precautions:

Practice high levels of personal hygiene at all times such as regularly washing hands with water and soap or hand sanitizer;

Always bring a face mask and face mask and hand sanitizer for use when needed during the visit;

Avoid visiting public places and interacting closely with any of the individuals who are symptomatic during the visit;

Avoid visiting livestock farms, markets selling live animals, breeding grounds or touching any kind of animals during the visit; and

Avoid eating any raw / poorly cooked animal products during the visit.

Immediately seek medical attention if you have symptoms of respiratory tract infections such as fever, cough or difficulty breathing within 14 days after returning from the visit. Please inform your travel history to the attending physician to ensure early detection of 2019-nCoV infection.