STATUS TERKINI KES DISAHKAN COVID-19 YANG TELAH PULIH

Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia (KKM) ingin memaklumkan bahawa terdapat 39 kes yang telah pulih COVID-19 pada hari ini. Jumlah kumulatif kes yang telah pulih sepenuhnya dari COVID-19 adalah sebanyak 9,602 kes (91.4 peratus daripada jumlah keseluruhan kes).

STATUS TERKINI KES COVID-19 DI MALAYSIA

Sehingga 23 September 2020 pukul 12:00 tengah hari, terdapat 147 kes baharu yang telah dilaporkan. Ini menjadikan jumlah kes positif COVID-19 di Malaysia adalah sebanyak 10,505 kes. Oleh itu, jumlah kes aktif dengan kebolehjangkitan COVID-19 adalah 770 kes. Mereka telah diasingkan dan diberi rawatan.

Ingin dimaklumkan daripada 147 kes baharu yang dilaporkan, empat (4) kes adalah kes import yang telah mendapat jangkitan di luar negara yang melibatkan tiga (3) warganegara dan satu (1) bukan warganegara dari negara:

• India: Tiga (3) kes dilaporkan di Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur yang melibatkan warganegara;
• Indonesia: Satu (1) kes dilaporkan di Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur yang melibatkan bukan warganegara.

Daripada 143 kes penularan di dalam negara, 115 kes adalah warganegara Malaysia dan 28 kes adalah bukan warganegara. Perincian kes penularan COVID-19 dalam negara adalah seperti berikut:

• Sabah: 134 kes
  • 105 kes daripada Kluster Benteng LD yang melibatkan 90 warganegara dan 15 bukan warganegara;
  • Lapan (8) kes daripada Kluster Laut yang melibatkan kesemua bukan warganegara;
  • Lapan (8) kes daripada Kluster Bangau-Bangau yang melibatkan enam (6) warganegara dan dua (2) bukan warganegara;
  • Lima (5) kes Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) yang melibatkan empat (4) warganegara dan satu (1) bukan warganegara;
  • Tiga (3) kes saringan petugas kesihatan di Hospital Semporna yang melibatkan warganegara. Mereka tidak bergejala dan telah dimasukkan ke Hospital Tawau;
  • Dua (2) kes daripada Kluster Pulau yang melibatkan warganegara;
  • Dua (2) kes daripada Kluster Udin, iaitu kluster baharu di Tawau, yang melibatkan bukan warganegara; dan
  • Satu (1) kes saringan tahanan di Ibu Pejabat Polis Daerah (IPD) Semporna yang melibatkan warganegara.

• Kedah: Lima (5) kes
  • Empat (4) kes daripada Kluster Sungai yang melibatkan semua warganegara; dan
  • Satu (1) kes saringan komuniti yang melibatkan warganegara.

• Selangor: Dua (2) kes
  • Satu (1) kes saringan masuk kerja yang melibatkan warganegara. Beliau mempunyai sejarah balik dari Semporna, Sabah; dan
  • Satu (1) kes saringan kontak rapat kepadakes ke- 10286. Beliau mempunyai sejarah balik dari Semporna,Sabah.

• Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur: Satu (1) kes saringan pulang dari kawasan berisiko (Sabah) yang melibatkan warganegara.

• Kelantan: Satu (1) kes saringan di Pintu Masuk Antarabangsa (PMA) dari Sabah yang melibatkan warganegara.

Sehingga kini, terdapat lapan (8) kes positif COVID-19 yang sedang dirawat di Unit Rawatan Rapi (ICU), di mana dua (2) kes memerlukan bantuan pernafasan.

Daripada maklumat terkini yang dilaporkan ke Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC) Kebangsaan, dukacita dimaklumkan bahawa terdapat pertambahan tiga (3) kes kematian berkaitan COVID-19. Justeru, jumlah kumulatif kes kematian COVID-19 di Malaysia adalah sebanyak 133 kes (1.27 peratus daripada jumlah keseluruhan kes):

1. Kes kematian ke-131 (iaitu kes ke-10495) merupakan perempuan warganegara Indonesia berumur 48 tahun yang mempunyai latar belakang penyakit kencing manis dan darah tinggi. Kes mula mengalami gejala lemah badan, muntah, batuk dan demam pada 14 September 2020. Kes telah dibawa ke Jabatan Kecemasan Hospital Tawau, Sabah pada 18 September 2020 dalam keadaan separa sedar. Keadaan kes didapati merosot dan dipindahkan ke Unit Rawatan Rapi (ICU) pada 19 September 2020. Beliau disahkan meninggal dunia pada hari yang sama jam pada 10.20 malam. Saringan COVID-19 didapati positif pada 22 September 2020.
2. Kes kematian ke-132 (iaitu kes ke-10493) merupakan lelaki warganegara Malaysia berumur 54 tahun. Kes telah mendapatkan rawatan di Jabatan Kecemasan Hospital Semporna, Sabah pada 18 September 2020 bagi gejala demam, batuk dan sukar bernafas. Saringan COVID-19 telah dijalankan. Keadaan kes didapati semakin merosot dan kemudian dirujuk ke Hospital Tawau pada 20 September 2020 di mana kes dimasukkan ke Unit Rawatan Rapi (ICU). Kes disahkan meninggal dunia pada 22 September 2020 pada jam 6.55 petang.  Pada 22 September 2020, saringan COVID-19 didapati positif.
3. Kes kematian ke-133 (iaitu kes ke-9224) merupakan lelaki warganegara Malaysia berumur 72 tahun dengan latar belakang penyakit strok. Kes telah dikesan sebagai kontak rapat kepada kes ke-9124 (kes kematian ke-127) yang merupakan kes positif dalam Kluster Tawar. Kes tidak bergejala, dikesan positif COVID-19 pada 19 Ogos 2020 dan dimasukkan ke Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah, Alor Setar. Keadaan kes didapati merosot dan dipindahkan ke Unit Rawatan Rapi (ICU). Kes disahkan meninggal dunia pada 23 September 2020 pada jam 3.40 pagi.

KKM mengucapkan takziah kepada ahli keluarga mereka.

KLUSTER BAHARU DI SABAH: KLUSTER UDIN

KKM ingin memaklumkan bahawa satu kluster baharu telah dilaporkan hari ini di Tawau, Sabah. Kes indeks kluster ini (iaitu kes ke-9894) adalah seorang perempuan warganegara Malaysia berumur 72 tahun. Kes indeks dikesan positif COVID-19 hasil saringan warga emas yang dijalankan di Klinik Kesihatan Merotai, Tawau pada 12 September 2020. Susulan itu, saringan kontak rapat telah dijalankan dan dua (2) lagi dikesan positif COVID-19 pada 22 September 2020. Kedua-dua kes positif ini melibatkan warganegara Filipina. Mereka tidak bergejala dan telah dimasukkan ke Hospital Tawau untuk rawatan.

Sehingga 23 September 2020, 12:00 tengah hari, sejumlah 128 individu telah disaring. Keputusan saringan adalah seperti berikut:

• Tiga (3) dikesan positif COVID-19;
• 71 dikesan negatif COVID-19; dan
• 54 individu menunggu keputusan.

Langkah pencegahan jangkitan termasuk proses nyah kuman dan proses pembersihan telah dijalankan di lokasi-lokasi yang terlibat. Punca jangkitan adalah masih dalam siasatan.

STATUS TERKINI BAGI EMPAT (4) KLUSTER DI SABAH DAN SATU (1) KLUSTER DI KEDAH

Kluster Benteng LD

Terdapat 105 kes baharu yang dilaporkan bagi Kluster Benteng LD pada hari ini. Ini menjadikan jumlah kes positif kluster ini sebanyak 729 kes. Sehingga 23 September 2020 jam 12:00 tengah hari, sejumlah 10,389 individu telah disaring dalam kluster ini. Pecahan jumlah saringan mengikut daerah adalah seperti berikut:

• Tawau (7,826 individu disaring);
  • 570 kes dikesan positif COVID-19 (104 kes baharu);
  • 5,109 individu negatif; dan
  • 2,147 individu menunggu keputusan.
• Lahad Datu (2,562 individu disaring):
  • 158 kes dikesan positif COVID-19 (1 kes baharu);
  • 1,490 individu negatif; dan
  • 914 individu menunggu keputusan.
• Sandakan – Satu (1) kes dikesan positif COVID-19, tiada saringan dan pertambahan kes baharu.

Berdasarkan keseluruhan saringan bagi kluster ini, pecahan saringan melibatkan:

• 1,736 banduan dan tahanan di mana 617 kes dikesan positif COVID-19;
• 1,159 kakitangan Ibu Pejabat Polis Daerah (IPD) Lahad Datu dan Penjara Tawau di mana 24 kes dikesan positif COVID-19;
• 1,394 ahli keluarga kepada kakitangan, banduan dan tahanan di mana 27 kes dikesan positif COVID-19;
• 1,518 pegawai agensi kerajaan lain di mana tiada kes dikesan positif COVID-19; dan
• 4,582 kontak sosial di mana 61 kes dikesan positif COVID-19.

Daripada jumlah 729 kes positif COVID-19, 414 kes adalah di kalangan warganegara Malaysia manakala 315 kes adalah bukan warganegara yang melibatkan negara:

• Filipina (202 kes); dan
• Indonesia (113 kes).

Ingin dimaklumkan bahawa jumlah kes akan sentiasa dikemaskini dan kategori bagi kes positif mungkin akan berubah bergantung kepada maklumat terkini hasil siasatan di lapangan. 

Kluster Bangau-Bangau

Terdapat lapan (8) kes baharu yang dilaporkan bagi Kluster Bangau-Bangau pada hari ini. Ini menjadikan jumlah kes positif kluster ini sebanyak 13 kes. Sehingga 23 September 2020 jam 12:00 tengah hari, sejumlah 105 individu telah disaring dalam kluster ini. Pecahan jumlah saringan adalah seperti berikut:

• 13 kes dikesan positif COVID-19 (8 kes baharu); dan
• 92 individu masih menunggu keputusan.

Daripada jumlah 13 kes positif COVID-19, 10 kes adalah di kalangan warganegara Malaysia manakala tiga (3) adalah warganegara Filipina.

Kluster Laut

Terdapat lapan (8) kes baharu yang dilaporkan bagi Kluster Laut pada hari ini. Ini menjadikan jumlah kes positif kluster ini sebanyak 12 kes. Sehingga 23 September 2020 jam 12:00 tengah hari, sejumlah 488 individu telah disaring dalam kluster ini. Pecahan jumlah saringan adalah seperti berikut:

• 12 kes dikesan positif COVID-19 (8 kes baharu);
• 345 individu negatif; dan
• 131 individu menunggu keputusan.

Kesemua 12 kes positif COVID-19 kluster ini adalah warganegara Filipina.

Kluster Pulau

Terdapat dua (2) kes baharu yang dilaporkan bagi Kluster Pulau pada hari ini. Ini menjadikan jumlah kes positif kluster ini sebanyak 37 kes. Sehingga 23 September 2020 jam 12:00 tengah hari, sejumlah 731 individu telah disaring dalam kluster ini. Pecahan jumlah saringan mengikut daerah adalah seperti berikut:

• Kunak (618 individu disaring):
  • 31 kes dikesan positif COVID-19 (2 kes baharu);
  • 261 individu negatif; dan
  • 326 individu menunggu keputusan.
• Semporna (113 individu disaring):
  • Enam (6) kes dikesan positif COVID-19;
  • 37 individu negatif; dan
  • 70 individu masih menunggu keputusan.

Daripada jumlah 37 kes positif COVID-19, 33 kes adalah di kalangan warganegara Malaysia manakala empat (4) adalah warganegara Filipina.

Kluster Sungai

Terdapat empat (4) kes baharu yang dilaporkan bagi Kluster Sungai pada hari ini. Ini menjadikan jumlah kes positif kluster ini sebanyak 87 kes. Sehingga 23 September 2020 jam 12:00 tengah hari, sejumlah 24,870 individu telah disaring dalam kluster ini. Pecahan jumlah saringan mengikut negeri adalah seperti berikut:

• Kedah (24,674 individu disaring):
  • 86 kes dikesan positif COVID-19 (4 kes baharu);
  • 24,469 individu negatif; dan
  • 119 individu menunggu keputusan.
• Pulau Pinang (142 individu disaring):
  • 142 individu negatif.
• Perlis (54 individu disaring):
  • Satu (1) kes dikesan positif COVID-19;
  • 52 individu negatif; dan
  • Satu (1) individu menunggu keputusan.

Kesemua 87 kes positif dalam kluster ini merupakan warganegara Malaysia.

Saringan kontak rapat dan aktiviti pengesanan kes secara aktif (Active Case Detection) bagi kluster-kluster ini masih diteruskan dan status terkini akan dimaklumkan dari semasa ke semasa.

PEMANTAPAN KESIAPSIAGAAN MAKMAL BAGI UJIAN COVID-19 DI NEGERI SABAH

Sebagai salah satu langkah kesiapsagaan berikutan pertambahan bilangan kes COVID-19 di Sabah, KKM telah menambah kapasiti makmal yang boleh menjalankan diagnostik real-time Reverse-Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCR). Ujian rRT-PCR digunakan bagi pengesahan COVID-19. Tiga (3) makmal yang menjalankan rRT-PCR adalah:

• Makmal Hospital Queen Elizabeth;
• Makmal Kesihatan Awam Kota Kinabalu; dan
• Makmal Universiti Malaysia Sabah. 

Ujian rRT-PCR di Sabah telah bermula pada bulan Februari 2020 di Makmal Kesihatan Awam, Kota Kinabalu dengan kapasiti 200 ujian sehari dan seterusnya diperluaskan ke Hospital Queen Elizabeth (100 ujian sehari) serta makmal Universiti Malaysia Sabah (100 ujian sehari) pada bulan Mac 2020. Secara keseluruhan, jumlah kapasiti ujian harian makmal sampel COVID-19 di seluruh negeri Sabah kini dipertingkatkan kepada 2,500 ujian sehari.

Sekiranya ujian rRT-PCR COVID-19 di Sabah mencecah 2,500 ujian sehari, sampel yang selebihnya akan dihantar dari Sabah ke Semenanjung Malaysia dengan menggunakan perkhidmatan Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (TUDM) serta perkhidmatan kurier swasta ke Institut Penyelidikan Perubatan (IMR) bagi menampung pengujian sampel tambahan.

Ingin dimaklumkan, KKM juga menggunakan Ujian Rapid Test Kit-Antigen (RTK-Ag) sebagai ujian saringan COVID-19. RTK-Ag mempunyai kelebihan untuk mengesan wabak COVID-19 dengan cepat dalam jumlah yang besar. Sehingga kini, terdapat sebanyak 23 makmal di hospital KKM dan 26 makmal di Klinik Kesihatan yang menjalankan ujian RTK-Ag di Sabah. Sejak awal Mei 2020, sebanyak 23,900 kit RTK-Ag telah diagihkan kepada Sabah dan tambahan 15,000 kit RTK-Ag diagihkan pada 17 September 2020 untuk membantu pengesanan kes COVID-19.

Bagi jangka masa panjang, KKM sedang berusaha membangunkan sebuah makmal molekular di Hospital Tawau. Selain itu juga, KKM juga sedang menunggu penghantaran kaset GENEXPERT COVID-19 dari Pertubuhan Kesihatan Sedunia (WHO) bagi kegunaan di Hospital Tawau, Hospital Sandakan dan Hospital Lahad Datu. Ujian ini digunakan bagi mengesan virus SARS-COV-2. Mesin GENEXPERT dengan empat (4) laci mampu menjalankan 40 ujian sehari.

NASIHAT KESIHATAN BERKAITAN COVID-19

KKM ingin menasihati orang ramai agar terus patuhi saranan serta nasihat-nasihat kesihatan yang sering ditekankan. Jadikanlah nasihat-nasihat ini satu kebiasaan baharu dalam kehidupan harian:

• Elakkan 3S / 3C : iaitu elakkan kawasan yang sesak (Crowded place), elakkan kawasan yang sempit (Confined space) dan elak sembang atau bertutur dengan jarak yang dekat (Close conversation).

• Amalkan 3W : iaitu kerap mencuci tangan dengan air dan sabun (Wash), memakai alat pelitup muka (facemask) di tempat awam yang telah diwajibkan oleh pihak Majlis Keselamatan Negara (MKN) mulai 1 Ogos 2020 atau jika bergejala (Wear), dan (Warn) iaitu amaran dari KKM yang lebih berkonsep peringatan seperti:

• Elakkan bersalaman / bersentuhan termasuk melagakan mana-mana bahagian tubuh badan sebagai menggantikan cara kebiasaan bersalam;
  • Amalkan etika batuk dan bersin;
  • Dapatkan rawatan segera jika bergejala;
  • Duduk di rumah dan elakkan kunjung-mengunjung; 
  • Lakukan aktiviti disinfeksi dan pembersihan di kawasan yang kerap disentuh.

Patuhlah kepada S.O.P sebagai normal baharu iaitu:

• S : Syarat-syarat seperti yang ditetapkan di bawah Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan Pemulihan (PKPP);
• O : Orang yang berisiko tinggi seperti kanak-kanak, bayi, warga emas dan orang kurang upaya (OKU) perlu dilindungi, individu tidak sihat dan bergejala dikehendaki segera menjalani pemeriksaan kesihatan;
• P : Penjarakan fizikal (physical distancing) sekurang-kurangnya 1 meter diamalkan pada setiap masa.

KKM akan terus memantau perkembangan kejadian jangkitan di dalam negara, dan juga luar negara melalui maklumat yang diperolehi daripada pihak Pertubuhan Kesihatan Sedunia (WHO). Orang ramai akan sentiasa dimaklumkan sebarang perkembangan terkini mengenainya. Begitu juga, KKM akan memastikan langkah pencegahan dan kawalan yang sewajarnya adalah dilaksanakan secara berterusan.

Sekian, terima kasih.

TAN SRI DATO’ SERI DR. NOOR HISHAM ABDULLAH

KETUA PENGARAH KESIHATAN MALAYSIA

23 September 2020 @ 5.00 petang.

BILANGAN KES COVID-19 MENGIKUT NEGERI DI MALAYSIA

(SEHINGGA 23 SEPTEMBER 2020, JAM 12:00 TENGAH HARI)

*(   ) adalah merujuk kepada kes-kes import

PRESS STATEMENT

MINISTRY OF HEALTH MALAYSIA

UPDATES ON THE CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19)

SITUATION IN MALAYSIA

23 September 2020

Current Status of Confirmed COVID-19 Cases Who Have Recovered

The Ministry of Health (MOH) would like to inform that 39 cases have fully recovered and discharged today. Cumulatively, 9,602 confirmed COVID-19 cases have been discharged (91.4% of total cumulative cases).

Current Situation of COVID-19 in Malaysia

23 September 2020, 12 pm – a total of 147 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported to the National Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC) MOH today. Cumulatively there are now 10,505 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Malaysia. Therefore, there are currently 770 active and infective COVID-19 cases. They have all been isolated and given treatment.

Of the 147 additional cases reported today, four (4) are imported cases who were infected overseas, involving three (3) Malaysians and one (1) non-Malaysian. They were travellers from the following countries:

• India – 3 cases reported in Kuala Lumpur, all Malaysians
• Indonesia – 1 case reported in Kuala Lumpur, a non-Malaysian

Of the 143 local transmission cases reported today, 115 cases are Malaysians and 28 cases are non-Malaysians. The details of the local transmission COVID-19 cases are as follows:

• Sabah: 134 cases
  • 105 cases from the Benteng LD Cluster, involving 90 Malaysians and 15 non-Malaysians.
  • 8 cases from the Laut Cluster, all non-Malaysians.
  • 8 cases from the Bangau-Bangau Cluster, involving 6 Malaysians and 2 non-Malaysians.
  • 5 cases from Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) screening, involving 4 Malaysians and 1 non-Malaysian.
  • 3 cases from screening of healthcare workers in Semporna Hospital, all Malaysians. They were asymptomatic and have been admitted into Tawau Hospital.
  • 2 cases from the Pulau Cluster, both Malaysians.
  • 2 cases from the Udin Cluster, a new cluster in Tawau, involving non-Malaysians.
  • 1 case from screening of detainees at Semporna District Police HQ, a Malaysian.
• Kedah: 5 cases
  • 4 cases from the Sungai Cluster, all Malaysians.
  • 1 case from community screening, a Malaysian.
• Selangor: 2 cases
  • 1 case from workplace screening prior to starting work, a Malaysian, with a history of travelling back from Semporna, Sabah.
  • 1 case from screening of close contacts to Case 10,286. This case has a history of travelling back from Semporna, Sabah.
• Kuala Lumpur: 1 case from screening upon returning from a high-risk area (Sabah), a Malaysian.
• Kelantan: 1 case from screening at the international port of entry, traveller from Sabah, a Malaysian.

Currently, eight (8) confirmed COVID-19 cases are receiving treatment in the intensive care units (ICUs), with two (2) patients on ventilation support.

Regretfully, three (3) additional COVID-19 deaths were reported to the National CPRC MOH today. Cumulatively, there are now 133 COVID-19 deaths in Malaysia (1.27% of total cumulative cases).

1. Death #131 (Case 10,495) is a 48-year-old Indonesian woman with a history of diabetes and hypertension. She developed symptoms of lethargy, vomiting, cough and fever on 14 September 2020. She was brought to the Emergency Department of Tawau Hospital, Sabah on 18 September 2020 in a semi-conscious state. Her condition deteriorated and she was transferred to the ICU on 19 September 2020. She was pronounced dead on the same day at 10.20 pm. Her COVID-19 screening test was found to be positive on 22 September 2020.

• Death #132 (Case 10,493) is a 54-year-old Malaysian man. He was treated at the Emergency Department of Semporna Hospital, Sabah on 18 September 2020 for symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath. A COVID-19 screening test was performed. His condition deteriorated and he was then referred to Tawau Hospital on 20 September 2020, where he was admitted into the ICU. He was pronounced dead 22 September 2020, 6.55 pm. On 22 September 2020, the COVID-19 screening test was found to be positive.

• Death #133 (Case 9,224) is a 72-year-old Malaysian man with a history of stroke. He was identified as a close contact to Case 9,124 (Death #127), a confirmed case from the Tawar Cluster. He was asymptomatic and found to be positive for COVID-19 on 19 August 2020, and was admitted into Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital, Alor Setar. His condition deteriorated and he was transferred to the ICU. He was pronounced dead on 23 September 2020, 3.40 am.

MOH extends its condolences to their family members.

A New Cluster in Sabah: The Udin Cluster

MOH would like to inform that a new cluster is reported today in Tawau, Sabah. The index case for this cluster (Case 9,894) is a 72-year-old Malaysian woman. The index case was found to be positive for COVID-19 through screening of older adults in Merotai Health Clinic, Tawau on 12 September 2020. Subsequently, screening of close contacts was conducted and two (2) additional confirmed COVID-19 cases were detected on 22 September 2020. These two additional cases are Filipino nationals. They were asymptomatic and have been admitted into Tawau Hospital for treatment.

As of 23 September 2020, 12 pm, a total of 128 individuals have been screened. The screening results are as follows:

• Three (3) confirmed COVID-19 cases
• 71 individuals tested negative
• 54 individuals awaiting results

Infection prevention measures including disinfection and cleaning have been carried out at the locations involved. The cause of the infection is still under investigation.

Current Status of the Four Clusters in Sabah and One Cluster in Kedah

The Benteng LD Cluster

105 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases are reported for this cluster today. Cumulatively, there are now 729 confirmed COVID-19 cases in this cluster. As of 23 September 2020, 12 pm, a total of 10,389 individuals have been screened in this cluster. The breakdown of screening by districts involved is as follows:

• Tawau (7,826 individuals screened):
  • 570 confirmed COVID-19 cases (104 additional cases reported today)
  • 5,109 individuals tested negative
  • 2,147 individuals awaiting result.
• Lahad Datu (2,562 individuals screened):
  • 158 confirmed COVID-19 cases (1 additional case reported today)
  • 1,490 individuals tested negative
  • 914 individuals awaiting result.
• Sandakan: One (1) confirmed COVID-19 case; no additional screening done.

From the total number of screenings for this cluster, the breakdown is as follows:

• 1,736 prisoners and detainees, of which 617 are confirmed COVID-19 cases
• 1,159 staff from the Lahad Datu District Police QH and Tawau Prison, of which 24 are confirmed COVID-19 cases
• 1,394 family members of staff, prisoners and detainees, of which 27 are confirmed COVID-19 cases
• 1,518 personnel from other government agencies, none tested positive for COVID-19
• 4,582 social close contacts, of which 61 are confirmed COVID-19 cases

Of the cumulative 729 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 414 cases are among Malaysians while 315 cases were among non-Malaysians from:

• Philippines – 202 cases
• Indonesia – 113 cases

The number of cases will be constantly updated and the categories for confirmed cases may change depending on the latest information from field investigations.

The Bangau-Bangau Cluster

Eight (8) additional confirmed COVID-19 cases are reported for this cluster today. Cumulatively, there are now 13 confirmed COVID-19 cases in this cluster. As of 23 September 2020, 12 pm, a total of 105 individuals have been screened in this cluster. The breakdown of screening is as follows:

• 13 confirmed COVID-19 cases (8 additional cases reported today)
• 92 individuals awaiting results

Of the 13 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 10 are Malaysians and three (3) are Filipino nationals.

The Laut Cluster

Eight (8) additional confirmed COVID-19 cases are reported for this cluster today. Cumulatively, there are now 12 confirmed COVID-19 cases in this cluster. As of 23 September 2020, 12 pm, a total of 488 individuals have been screened in this cluster. The breakdown of screening is as follows:

• 12 confirmed COVID-19 cases (8 additional cases reported today)
• 345 individuals tested negative
• 131 individuals awaiting results

All 12 confirmed COVID-19 cases in this cluster are Filipino nationals.

The Pulau Cluster

Two (2) additional confirmed COVID-19 cases are reported for this cluster today. Cumulatively, there are now 37 confirmed COVID-19 cases in this cluster. As of 23 September 2020, 12 pm, a total of 731 individuals have been screened in this cluster. The breakdown of screening by districts involved is as follows:

• Kunak (618 individuals screened):
  • 31 confirmed COVID-19 cases (2 additional cases reported today)
  • 261 individuals tested negative
  • 326 individuals awaiting results
• Semporna (113 screened)
  • Six (6) confirmed COVID-19 cases
  • 37 individuals tested negative
  • 70 individual awaiting results

Of the 37 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 33 are Malaysians while four (4) are Filipino nationals.

The Sungai Cluster

Four (4) additional confirmed COVID-19 cases are reported for this cluster today. Cumulatively, there are now 87 confirmed COVID-19 cases in this cluster. As of 23 September 2020, 12 pm, a total of 24,870 individuals have been screened. The breakdown of screening by states involved is as follows:

• Kedah (24,674 individuals screened):
  • 86 confirmed COVID-19 cases (4 additional cases reported today)
  • 24,469 individuals tested negative
  • 119 individuals awaiting results
• Pulau Pinang (142 screened):
  • 142 individuals tested negative
• Perlis (54 screened):
  • One (1) confirmed COVID-19 case
  • 52 individuals tested negative
  • 1 individual awaiting result

All 87 confirmed COVID-19 cases in this cluster are Malaysians.

Screening of close contacts and active case detection for all these clusters are still ongoing. The latest status of these clusters will be informed from time to time.

Strengthening Laboratory Preparedness for COVID-19 Tests in Sabah

As one of the preparedness measures following the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in Sabah, MOH has increased the capacity of laboratories that can carry out real-time diagnostic Reverse-Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCR). The rRT-PCR test is used for COVID-19 infection confirmation. The three (3) laboratories conducting rRT-PCR currently are:

• Queen Elizabeth Hospital Laboratory
• Kota Kinabalu Public Health Laboratory
• Universiti Malaysia Sabah Laboratory

The rRT-PCR testing in Sabah started in February 2020 at the Kota Kinabalu Public Health Laboratory with a capacity of 200 tests per day, and was later extended to Queen Elizabeth Hospital (100 tests/day) and Universiti Malaysia Sabah Laboratory (100 tests/day) in March 2020 Overall, the total daily COVID-19 test capacity in laboratories throughout Sabah has now increased to 2,500 tests per day.

If the rRT-PCR COVID-19 test in Sabah reaches 2,500 tests per day, the remaining samples will be sent from Sabah to Peninsular Malaysia using the services of the Royal Malaysian Air Force and private courier services to the Institute for Medical Research (IMR) to accommodate the testing of these additional samples.

MOH also uses the Rapid Test Kit – Antigen (RTK-Ag) as a COVID-19 screening test. The RTK-Ag has the advantage of detecting COVID-19 outbreaks quickly in large numbers. To date, there are 23 laboratories in MOH hospitals and 26 laboratories in health clinics that conduct RTK-Ag in Sabah. Since the beginning of May 2020, a total of 23,900 RTK-Ag kits have been distributed to Sabah and an additional 15,000 RTK-Ag kits have been distributed on 17 September 2020 to assist in the detection of COVID-19 cases.

For the long term, MOH is working to develop a molecular laboratory in Tawau Hospital. In addition, MOH is also waiting for the delivery of GENEXPERT COVID-19 cassettes from the World Health Organization (WHO) for use in Tawau Hospital, Sandakan Hospital and Lahad Datu Hospital. This test is used to detect the SARS-COV-2 virus. The GENEXPERT machine with four drawers is capable of running 40 tests per day.

Health Advisory on COVID-19

MOH advices the public to continue to comply to the recommendations and health advisories that are often emphasised. These advisories must be incorporated as the new normal in our daily life, including:

• Avoid the 3Cs: Avoid Crowded places; Confined spaces; and Close conversations.

• Practice the 3Ws: Wash hands frequently with water and soap; Wearing facemasks is now mandatory in public areas (starting from 1 August 2020 as directed by the National Security Council) or highly recommended if symptomatic; Warn self and others for the following, in line with MOH’s advisories:

• Avoid shaking hands or touching others, including bumping parts of the body in lieu of shaking hands
  • Practice good coughing and sneezing etiquette
  • Seek early treatment if symptomatic
  • Stay at home and avoid from visiting others
  • Regularly clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces in common areas

In addition to the SOPs, continue to adhere to THiS as the new normal:

• T: Terms set under the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO)
• Hi: High-risk groups such as children, infants, older adults and the disabled must be protected, and if unwell with symptoms, to seek early treatment
• S: Safe physical distancing is practiced at all times, of at least 1 metre away from others

MOH will continue to monitor the development of the COVID-19 situation, both in the country as well as internationally, based on available information from the World Health Organization (WHO). The public will be continuously updated on the latest information. In addition, MOH will ensure that appropriate preventive and control measures are continuously implemented.

Thank you.

Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah

Director General of Health Malaysia

23 September 2020 @ 5.00 pm

Number of Confirmed COVID-19 Cases in Malaysia, by States

(Cumulative, as of 23 September 2020, 12 pm)

*(   ) refers to imported confirmed COVID-19 cases