STATUS TERKINI KES DISAHKAN COVID-19 YANG TELAH PULIH

Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia (KKM) ingin memaklumkan bahawa terdapat 302 kes yang telah pulih COVID-19 pada hari ini. Jumlah kumulatif kes yang telah pulih sepenuhnya dari COVID-19 adalah 12,561 kes (64 peratus daripada jumlah keseluruhan kes). Pecahan kes yang telah pulih COVID-19 mengikut negeri adalah seperti berikut:

• Sabah (236 kes);
• Selangor (41 kes);
• Perak (16);
• Sarawak (4 kes);
• Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur dan Putrajaya (3 kes);
• Negeri Sembilan (1 kes); dan
• Pulau Pinang (1 kes).

STATUS TERKINI KES COVID-19 DI MALAYSIA

Sehingga 17 Oktober 2020 pukul 12:00 tengah hari, sebanyak 869 kes baharu telah dilaporkan, di mana kesemuanya adalah kes jangkitan tempatan. Ini menjadikan jumlah kes positif COVID-19 di Malaysia adalah sebanyak 19,627 kes. Oleh itu, jumlah kes aktif dengan kebolehjangkitan COVID-19 adalah 6,886 kes. Mereka telah diasingkan dan diberi rawatan.

Jika dilihat pecahan utama jumlah kes hari ini, Negeri Sabah terus mencatatkan jumlah kes tertinggi iaitu 451 kes (51.9 peratus). Manakala, negeri-negeri di Lembah Klang pula merangkumi 20.3 peratus daripada jumlah keseluruhan kes, iaitu Negeri Selangor mencatat 159 kes, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur 15  kes dan Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya dua (2) kes. Kesemua negeri-negeri ini adalah dalam Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan Bersyarat (PKPB).

Secara keseluruhan, sebanyak 224 kes (25.8 peratus) pada hari ini adalah daripada Kluster Tembok, Kluster Penjara Reman dan Kluster Penjara Seberang Perai. Kes-kes ini sememangnya terasing di dalam penjara dan tidak menjangkiti masyarakat.

Daripada 869 kes penularan di dalam negara, 745 kes adalah warganegara Malaysia dan 124 kes adalah bukan warganegara.

Daripada jumlah keseluruhan kes hari ini, empat (4) kes merupakan pengunjung yang pulang dari Sabah, yang menjadikan jumlah kes dilaporkan mempunyai sejarah perjalanan ke Sabah sejak 20 September 2020 adalah sebanyak 441 kes.

Perincian kes penularan COVID-19 dalam negara adalah seperti berikut:

• Sabah: 451 kes
  • 234 kes saringan kontak rapat kes positif COVID-19;
  • 54 kes daripada kluster-kluster sedia ada;
  • Dua (2) kes daripada kluster baharu iaitu Kluster Teduh; dan
  • 161 kes daripada lain-lain saringan COVID-19.

• Pulau Pinang: 189 kes
  • 186 kes daripada kluster-kluster sedia ada; dan
  • Tiga (3) kes saringan kontak rapat kes positif COVID-19.

• Selangor: 159 kes
  • 89 kes daripada kluster-kluster sedia ada;
  • 23 kes daripada kluster baharu iaitu Kluster Keladi;
  • 23 kes daripada saringan kontak rapat kes positif COVID-19;
  • Lapan (8) kes daripada kluster baharu iaitu Kluster Menara;
  • Dua (2) kes saringan pulang dari kawasan berisiko tinggi (Sabah); dan
  • 14 kes daripada lain-lain saringan COVID-19.

• Kedah: 38 kes 
  • 37 daripada Kluster Tembok; dan
  • Satu (1) kes daripada Kluster Bah Lunas.

• Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur: 15 kes
  • Tujuh (7) kes daripada saringan kontak rapat kes positif COVID-19;
  • Empat (4) kes daripada kluster baharu iaitu Kluster Sentral;
  • Tiga (3) kes daripada kluster baharu iaitu Kluster Menara; dan
  • Satu (1) kes saringan bergejala.

• Sarawak: Empat (4) kes daripada Kluster Bah Arnab.

• Perak: Empat (4) kes 
  • Dua (2) kes daripada kluster-kluster sedia ada;
  • Satu (1) kes daripada kluster baharu iaitu Kluster Menara; dan
  • Satu (1) kes saringan di Depoh Tahanan Imigresen.

• Terengganu: Tiga (3) kes daripada kluster baharu iaitu Kluster Bah Bemban.

• Johor: Dua (2) kes
  • Satu (1) kes daripada Kluster Buntar; dan
  • Satu (1) kes daripada saringan kontak rapat kes positif COVID-19.

• Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya: Dua (2) kes
  • Satu (1) kes daripada kluster baharu iaitu Kluster Menara; dan
  • Satu (1) kes daripada Kluster Buntar.

• Negeri Sembilan: Satu (1) kes daripada saringan kontak rapat kes positif COVID-19.

• Melaka: Satu (1) kes daripada saringan kontak rapat kes positif COVID-19.

Sehingga kini, terdapat 91 kes positif COVID-19 yang sedang dirawat di Unit Rawatan Rapi (ICU), di mana 30 kes memerlukan bantuan pernafasan.

Daripada maklumat terkini yang dilaporkan ke Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC) Kebangsaan, dukacita dimaklumkan bahawa terdapat pertambahan empat (4) kes kematian berkaitan COVID-19. Justeru, jumlah kumulatif kes kematian COVID-19 di Malaysia adalah sebanyak 180 kes (0.9 peratus daripada jumlah keseluruhan kes).

Ringkasan kes-kes kematian hari ini adalah seperti berikut:

* WN merujuk kepada warganegara dan BWN bukan warganegara

KKM mengucapkan takziah kepada semua ahli keluarga mereka.

LIMA (5) KLUSTER BAHARU DILAPORKAN HARI INI

KKM ingin memaklumkan bahawa terdapat lima (5) kluster baharu telah dikenal pasti pada hari ini iaitu;

1) KLUSTER TEDUH

Kluster baharu ini melibatkan daerah Lahad Datu di negeri Sabah. Kes indeks bagi kluster ini (iaitu kes ke-13000) telah dikenal pasti positif COVID-19 hasil saringan individu yang mempunyai sejarah perjalanan dari daerah yang berisiko tinggi iaitu Semporna pada 6 Oktober 2020 dan telah dimasukkan ke Hospital Lahad Datu. Saringan kontak rapat telah mengenal pasti 10 lagi kes positif COVID-19.

Sehingga 17 Oktober 2020, 12 tengah hari, sejumlah 535 individu telah disaring, di mana:

• 11 kes dikesan positif COVID-19; dan
• 524 individu masih menunggu keputusan.

2) KLUSTER MENARA

Kluster baharu ini melibatkan daerah Gombak, Petaling, Klang, Sepang dan Hulu Langat di negeri Selangor; daerah Lembah Pantai, Titiwangsa dan Cheras di WP Kuala Lumpur; daerah Larut, Matang dan Selama di negeri Perak serta Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya. Kes indeks bagi kluster ini (iaitu kes ke-16041) telah dikenal pasti positif COVID-19 hasil saringan individu bergejala pada 9 Oktober 2020 dan telah dimasukkan ke Hospital Sungai Buloh, Selangor. Saringan kontak rapat telah mengenal pasti 32 lagi kes positif COVID-19.

Sehingga 17 Oktober 2020, 12 tengah hari, sejumlah 180 individu telah disaring, di mana:

• 33 kes dikesan positif COVID-19;
• 33 individu negatif; dan
• 114 individu masih menunggu keputusan.

3) KLUSTER KELADI

Kluster baharu ini melibatkan daerah Klang di negeri Selangor. Kes indeks bagi kluster ini (iaitu kes ke-17381) telah dikenal pasti positif COVID-19 hasil saringan kontak rapat pada 13 Oktober 2020 dan telah dimasukkan ke Hospital Sungai Buloh. Saringan kontak rapat telah mengenal pasti 25 lagi kes positif COVID-19.

Sehingga 17 Oktober 2020, 12 tengah hari, sejumlah 107 individu telah disaring, di mana:

• 26 kes dikesan positif COVID-19;
• 74 individu negatif; dan
• Tujuh (7) individu masih menunggu keputusan.

4) KLUSTER SENTRAL

Kluster baharu ini dikenal pasti di Kepong, Cheras dan Titiwangsa, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur.  Kes indeks bagi kluster ini (iaitu kes ke-18676) yang juga merupakan kes kematian ke-176, telah dikenal pasti positif COVID-19 hasil saringan kematian di sebuah pusat perubatan pada 16 Oktober 2020. Saringan kontak rapat telah mengenal pasti empat (4) lagi kes positif COVID-19.

Sehingga 17 Oktober 2020, 12 tengah hari, sejumlah 135 individu telah disaring, di mana:

• Lima (5) kes dikesan positif COVID-19;
• 122 individu negatif; dan
• Lapan (8) individu masih menunggu keputusan.

5) KLUSTER BAH BEMBAN

Kluster baharu ini melibatkan daerah Dungun di negeri Terengganu dan daerah Kota Kinabalu di negeri Sabah. Kes indeks bagi kluster ini (iaitu kes ke-12082) telah dikenal pasti positif COVID-19 hasil saringan pulang dari kawasan berisiko tinggi (Sabah) pada 3 Oktober 2020 dan telah dimasukkan ke Hospital Hulu Terengganu, Kuala Berang. Saringan kontak rapat telah mengenal pasti 11 lagi kes positif COVID-19.

Sehingga 17 Oktober 2020, 12 tengah hari, sejumlah 222 individu telah disaring, di mana:

• 12 kes dikesan positif COVID-19; dan
• 210 individu negatif.

KKM MEMPERTINGKATKAN KAPASITI BAGI MEMBENDUNG COVID-19 DI SABAH

KKM sememangnya memandang serius situasi penularan COVID-19 di negeri Sabah dari sejak awal peningkatan bilangan kes COVID-19 di sana. Banyak usaha telah dijalankan seperti meningkatkan kapasiti dan mobilisasi aset serta sumber manusia. Usaha-usaha ini dilakukan bagi memastikan sistem Kesihatan Awam dan Perubatan di negeri Sabah terus mampan dalam membendung situasi penularan COVID-19. Antara usaha yang telah dan sedang dijalankan termasuk:

1. Meningkatkan kapasiti ujian makmal RT-PCR dan RTK Antigen
   • Kapasiti ujian makmal di negeri Sabah telah ditingkatkan dua kali ganda. Pada bulan Julai 2020, kapasiti ujian RT-PCR di negeri Sabah adalah sebanyak 1,350 ujian. Kini, ianya telah dipertingkatkan kepada 2,600 ujian RT-PCR sehari.
   • Penghantaran sampel RT-PCR setiap hari dilakukan ke Institut Penyelidikan Perubatan (IMR) dan Makmal Kesihatan Awam Kebangsaan (MKAK) dengan menggunakan perkhidmatan Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (TUDM) dan Pos Laju.
   • Perkhidmatan penyumberluaran (outsourcing) kepada makmal swasta juga telah dilakukan. Misalnya pada 16 Oktober 2020, sebanyak 4,327 ujian telah disumberluarkan kepada makmal swasta agar lebih banyak saringan dapat terus dijalankan di lapangan.
   • Penghantaran lebih banyak kit ujian RTK Antigen di mana mulai Oktober 2020, sebanyak 100,000 kit ujian RTK Antigen dihantar setiap bulan khususnya ke negeri Sabah untuk membantu saringan COVID-19 di lapangan.
2. Meningkatkan kapasiti katil di hospital COVID-19 serta Pusat Kuarantin dan Rawatan Berisiko Rendah (PKRC).
   • Kini Sabah mempunyai sembilan (9) Hospital COVID-19 dan 21 PKRC.
   • Bagi menampung peningkatan jumlah kes COVID-19 di negeri Sabah, jumlah katil hospital COVID-19 dan PKRC telah ditingkatkan 2.5 kali ganda, iaitu daripada 2,129 katil pada awal bulan September 2020 kepada jumlah terkini iaitu 5,414 katil. Kadar penggunaan katil (BOR) pada ketika ini adalah 35 peratus.
   • Penyediaan hospital medan dengan kerjasama Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (ATM) di Tawau yang akan menempatkan 100 katil bagi kegunaan pesakit bukan COVID-19 agar lebih banyak katil di Hospital Tawau boleh digunakan untuk pesakit COVID-19.
3. Meningkatkan kapasiti katil Unit Rawatan Rapi (ICU) dan alat mesin bantuan pernafasan (ventilator)
   • Mesin ventilator dan katil ICU telah diperolehi bukan sahaja melalui perolehan menggunakan peruntukan khas oleh Kerajaan, malah turut diperoleh melalui sumbangan daripada pelbagai pihak.
   • Khususnya untuk Sabah, terdapat sejumlah 180 ventilator yang disediakan di mana kadar penggunaan adalah sebanyak 32 peratus (ini termasuk juga penggunaan oleh kes-kes bukan COVID-19).
   • Jumlah katil ICU di negeri Sabah kini adalah 122 katil, di mana kadar penggunaan adalah 72 peratus (ini termasuk juga penggunaan oleh kes-kes bukan COVID-19).
   • Bagi meningkatkan jumlah katil ICU, KKM telah menyusun atur semula kawasan klinikal (repurposing of clinical areas) di beberapa fasiliti kesihatan di mana kawasan dalam hospital digunakan untuk diubah suai bagi tujuan rawatan pesakit kritikal COVID-19 (modular ward ICU). Ini membantu meningkatkan jumlah katil ICU yang sedia ada di negeri Sabah.
   • Inovasi bagi membolehkan satu mesin ventilator digunakan oleh dua pesakit COVID-19 juga telah diperkenalkan. Inovasi ini dipanggil “ventilator splitter” iaitu menggunakan teknologi cetakan 3D (3D printing) yang mana telah turut dilaksanakan di beberapa buah negara lain.
4. Meningkatkan kapasiti dan mobilisasi tenaga sumber manusia Perubatan dan Kesihatan Awam
   • Mobilisasi pasukan bantuan melibatkan 767 orang anggota Perubatan dan Kesihatan Awam KKM dari pelbagai kategori dan skim perkhidmatan yang telah digerakkan ke Tawau, Lahad Datu, Semporna, Sandakan dan Kota Kinabalu secara dalaman negeri di Sabah dan juga dari negeri-negeri lain telah dilaksanakan. Lebih ramai anggota akan dihantar kelak, di mana 99 petugas akan bertolak ke Sabah dalam minggu ini dan minggu hadapan (36 orang petugas Kesihatan Awam dan 63 orang petugas Perubatan).
   • KKM akan menjalankan lantikan secara kontrak (contract of service) bagi 1,899 petugas kesihatan,  tertakluk kepada syarat-syarat tertentu bagi lantikan. Ini akan dimobilisasikan bagi kegunaan di negeri-negeri yang memerlukan, khususnya di negeri Sabah.
   • KKM juga telah mempergiatkan penglibatan lebih banyak anggota sukarelawan daripada Badan Bukan Kerajaan (NGO) dan sukarelawan individu dalam menangani krisis ini. Bilangan maklumbalas yang diterima daripada pihak yang berminat adalah amat memberangsangkan. Setakat ini, 4,794 pendaftaran telah diterima dan masih dalam proses saringan. Lebih ramai sukarelawan diseru untuk bersama-sama membantu KKM dalam usahasama ini. Setakat ini, dua (2) NGO telah menghantar 15 anggota mereka ke Sabah.
5. Penyumberluaran (outsourcing) perkhidmatan Perubatan bagi kes-kes bukan COVID-19
   • Bagi memastikan kelangsungan perkhidmatan dan rawatan kepada kes-kes bukan COVID-19 tidak terjejas, Jabatan Kesihatan Negeri Sabah telah berbincang dan menandatangani beberapa perjanjian dengan hospital swasta.
   • Senarai Hospital Swasta yang terlibat dalam outsourcing ini adalah:
     • Institut Jantung Negara (IJN)
     • Hospital Gleneagles Kota Kinabalu
     • Hospital Gleneagles Pulau Pinang
     • Hospital Pakar KPJ Sabah
     • Tawau Specialist Medical Centre
     • Jesselton Medical Centre

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

17 Oktober 2020 @ 5.30 petang.

LAMPIRAN 1

BILANGAN KES COVID-19 MENGIKUT NEGERI DI MALAYSIA

(SEHINGGA 17 OKTOBER 2020, JAM 12:00 TENGAH HARI)

*(   ) adalah merujuk kepada kes-kes import

LAMPIRAN 2

Status Terkini Kluster Aktif Yang Mencatat Kes Positif Pada Hari Ini(17 Oktober 2020)

*BWN = Bukan Warganegara

PRESS STATEMENT

MINISTRY OF HEALTH MALAYSIA

UPDATES ON THE CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19)

SITUATION IN MALAYSIA

17 October 2020

Current Status of Confirmed COVID-19 Cases Who Have Recovered

The Ministry of Health (MOH) would like to inform that 302 cases have fully recovered and discharged today. Cumulatively, 12,561 confirmed COVID-19 cases have been discharged (64% of total cumulative cases). The breakdown of cases that have recovered by states is as follows:

• Sabah (236 cases)
• Selangor (41 cases)
• Perak (16 cases)
• Sarawak (4 cases)
• Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya (3 cases)
• Negeri Sembilan (1 case)
• Pulau Pinang (1 case)

Current Situation of COVID-19 in Malaysia

17 October 2020, 12 pm, a total of 869 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported to the National Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC) MOH today, all local transmission cases. Cumulatively there are 19,627 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Malaysia. Therefore, there are currently 6,886 active and infective COVID-19 cases. They have all been isolated and given treatment.

Examining the breakdown of the number of cases reported today, Sabah continues to report the highest number of cases at 451 cases (51.9%). Meanwhile, the states in the Klang Valley accounted for 20.3% of the total number of cases i.e. Selangor reported 159 cases, Kuala Lumpur 15 cases and WP Putrajaya 2 cases. All these states are under the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO).

In total, 224 cases (25.8%) today are from the Tembok Cluster, Penjara Reman Cluster and Penjara Seberang Perai Cluster. These cases are isolated in prisons and not infective to the local communities.

Of the 869 local transmission cases, 745 cases are Malaysians and 124 cases are non-Malaysians.

Of the total number of cases today, four (4) cases are returnees from Sabah, making the total number of cases with a history of travel to Sabah since 20 September 2020 is 441 cases.

The details of the local transmission COVID-19 cases are as follows:

• Sabah: 451 cases
  • 234 cases from screening of close contacts to confirmed COVID-19 cases.
  • 54 cases from existing clusters.
  • 2 cases from the Teduh Cluster, a new cluster.
  • 161 cases from other COVID-19 screenings.

• Pulau Pinang: 189 cases
  • 186 casesfrom existing active clusters.
  • 3 cases from screening of close contacts to confirmed COVID-19 cases.

• Selangor: 159 cases
  • 89 cases from existing clusters.
  • 23 cases from the Keladi Cluster, a new cluster.
  • 23 cases from screening of close contacts to confirmed COVID-19 cases.
  • 8 cases from the Menara Cluster, a new cluster.
  • 2 cases from screening of returnees from high-risk areas (Sabah).
  • 14 cases from other COVID-19 screenings.

• Kedah: 38 cases
  • 37 cases from the Tembok Cluster.
  • 1 case from the Bah Lunas Cluster.

• Kuala Lumpur: 15 cases
  • 7 cases from screening of close contacts to confirmed COVID-19 cases.
  • 4 cases from the Sentral Cluster, a new cluster.
  • 3 cases from the Menara Cluster, a new cluster.
  • 1 case from symptomatic screening.

• Sarawak: 4 cases from the Bah Arnab Cluster.

• Perak: 4 cases
  • 2 cases from existing active clusters.
  • 1 case from the Menara Cluster, a new cluster.
  • 1 case from screening at an Immigration Detention Centre.

• Terengganu: 3 cases from the Bah Bemban Cluster, a new cluster.

• Johor: 2 cases
  • 1 case from the Buntar Cluster.
  • 1 case from screening of close contacts to confirmed COVID-19 cases.

• WP Putrajaya: 2 cases
  • 1 casefrom the Menara Cluster, a new cluster.
  • 1 case from the Buntar Cluster.

• Negeri Sembilan: 1 case from screening of close contacts to confirmed COVID-19 cases.

• Melaka: 1 case from screening of close contacts to confirmed COVID-19 cases.

Currently, 91 confirmed COVID-19 cases are receiving treatment in the intensive care units (ICUs), with 30 patients on ventilation support.

Regretfully, four (4) additional COVID-19 deaths were reported to the National CPRC MOH today. Cumulatively, there are now 180 COVID-19 deaths in Malaysia (0.9% of total cumulative cases).

Summary of the deaths reported today is shown in the following table:

MOH extends its condolences to all their family members.

Five New Clusters Reported Today

MOH would like to inform that five new clusters have been identified today.

The Teduh Cluster

This new cluster involves the Lahad Datu district in Sabah. The index case for this cluster (Case 13,000) was detected positive for COVID-19 through screening of individuals with history of travel to high-risk districts i.e. Semporna on 6 October 2020 and was admitted into Lahad Datu Hospital. Screening of close contacts has identified 10 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases.

As of 17 October 2020, 12 pm, a total of 535 individuals have been screened, of which:

• 11 confirmed COVID-19 cases
• 524 individuals awaiting results

The Menara Cluster

This new cluster involves the Gombak, Petaling, Klang, Sepang and Hulu Langat districts in Selangor; the Lembah Pantai, Titiwangsa and Cheras districts in Kuala Lumpur; the Larut Matang dan Selama district in Perak, as well as Putrajaya. The index case for this cluster (Case 16,041) was detected positive for COVID-19 through symptomatic screening on 9 October 2020 and was admitted into Sungai Buloh Hospital. Screening of close contacts has identified 32 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases.

As of 17 October 2020, 12 pm, a total of 180 individuals have been screened, of which:

• 33 confirmed COVID-19 cases
• 33 individuals tested negative
• 114 individuals awaiting results

The Keladi Cluster

This new cluster involves the Klang district, Selangor. The index case for this cluster (Case 17,381) was detected positive for COVID-19 through screening of close contacts on 13 October 2020 and was admitted into Sungai Buloh Hospital. Screening of close contacts has identified 25 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases.

As of 17 October 2020, 12 pm, a total of 107 individuals have been screened, of which:

• 26 confirmed COVID-19 cases
• 74 individuals tested negative
• 7 individuals awaiting results

The Sentral Cluster

This new cluster involves the Kepong, Cheras and Titiwangsa districts, Kuala Lumpur. The index case for this cluster (Case 18,676), also COVID-19 death #176, was detected positive for COVID-19 from a post-mortem screening at a medical centre on 16 October 2020. Screening of close contacts has identified four (4) additional confirmed COVID-19 cases.

As of 17 October 2020, 12 pm, a total of 135 individuals have been screened, of which:

• Five (5) confirmed COVID-19 cases
• 122 individuals tested negative
• 8 individuals awaiting results

The Bah Bemban Cluster

This new cluster involves the Dungun district, Terengganu and Kota Kinabalu district, Sabah. The index case for this cluster (Case 12,082) was detected positive for COVID-19 through screening of returnees from high-risk areas (Sabah) on 3 October 2020 and was admitted into Hulu Terengganu Hospital, Kuala Berang. Screening of close contacts has identified 11 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases.

As of 17 October 2020, 12 pm, a total of 222 individuals have been screened, of which:

• 12 confirmed COVID-19 cases
• 210 individuals tested negative

MOH Increases Capacity to Control COVID-19 in Sabah

MOH has taken the situation of COVID-19 transmission in Sabah seriously since the beginning of the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases there. Numerous efforts have been made such as increasing capacity and mobilising assets and human resources. These measures were taken to ensure that the Public Health and Medical Care systems in Sabah continues to be sustainable in controlling the COVID-19 transmission situation. Among the measures that have been taken and are currently underway include:

1. Increasing laboratory capacity for RT-PCR and RTK Antigen testing
   • The laboratory test capacity in Sabah has doubled. In July 2020, the RT-PCR test capacity in Sabah was 1,350 tests. Now, it has been increased to 2,600 RT-PCR tests a day.
   • RT-PCR samples are delivered daily to the Institute for Medical Research (IMR) and the National Public Health Laboratory (MKAK) using the services of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (TUDM) and Pos Laju.
   • Outsourcing services to private laboratories have also been done. For example, on 16 October 2020, a total of 4,327 tests were outsourced to private laboratories so that more screening could continue in the field.
   • Delivery of more RTK Antigen test kits, where starting from October 2020, a total of 100,000 RTK Antigen test kits will be sent every month, especially to Sabah to help COVID-19 screening in the field.
2. Increasing bed capacity at COVID-19 hospitals as well as the Quarantine and Low Risk Treatment Centres (PKRC)
   • Sabah currently has nine (9) COVID-19 Hospitals and 21 PKRCs.
   • To accommodate the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in Sabah, the number of COVID-19 hospital and PKRC beds have been increased 2.5 times, from 2,129 beds in early September 2020, to the latest number of 5,414 beds. The current bed occupancy rate (BOR) is 35%.
   • Setting up of a field hospital in collaboration with the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) in Tawau, that will house 100 beds for non-COVID-19 patients so that more beds in Tawau Hospital can be used for COVID-19 patients.
3. Increasing the capacity of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds and ventilators
   • ICU ventilators and beds have been obtained not only through procurement using special allocations by the Government, but also through donations from various parties.
   • Especially for Sabah, there is a total of 180 ventilators allocated, where the usage rate is 32% (this also includes use by non-COVID-19 patients).
   • The number of ICU beds in Sabah is currently 122 beds, of which the usage rate is 72% (this also includes use by non-COVID-19 patients).
   • To increase the number of ICU beds, MOH has repurposed clinical areas in several health facilities, where areas within the hospital are modified for the purpose of treatment of critical COVID-19 patients (i.e. ICU modular wards). This helps to increase the number of existing ICU beds in Sabah.
   • An innovation to enable one ventilator machine to be used by two COVID-19 patients was introduced. This innovation is called “ventilator splitter” that uses 3D printing technology that has been implemented in several other countries.
4. Increasing the capacity and mobilisation of human resources in Medical and Public Health Systems
   • Mobilisation of support teams involving 767 MOH Medical and Public Health healthcare workers (HCWs) from various categories and service schemes that have been deployed to Tawau, Lahad Datu, Semporna, Sandakan and Kota Kinabalu internally in Sabah and also from other states has been implemented. More HCWs will be mobilised later, with an additional 99 HCWs leaving for Sabah this week and next week (36 Public Health and 63 Medical HCWs).
   • MOH will implement contract appointments (or contract of service) for 1,899 HCWs, subject to the approval of the central agencies. These HCWs will be mobilised for use in states in need, especially in Sabah.
   • MOH has also intensified the involvement of more volunteers from Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and individual volunteers in dealing with this crisis. The number of feedbacks received from interested parties is very encouraging. To date, 4,794 registrations have been received and are still in the process of being screened. More volunteers are called upon to assist MOH. So far, two (2) NGOs have sent 15 of their members to Sabah.
5. Outsourcing of Medical services for non-COVID-19 patients
   • To ensure the continuity of services and treatment to non-COVID-19 patients are not affected, the Sabah State Health Department has discussed and signed several agreements with private hospitals.
   • The list of Private Hospitals involved in this outsourcing:
     1. National Heart Institute (IJN)
     2. Gleneagles Hospital Kota Kinabalu
     3. Gleneagles Hospital Pulau Pinang
     4. Sabah KPJ Specialist Hospital
     5. Tawau Specialist Medical Centre
     6. Jesselton Medical Centre

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

17 October 2020 @ 5.30 pm

Appendix 1

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

(Cumulative, as of 17 October 2020, 12 pm)

*(   ) refers to imported confirmed COVID-19 cases

Appendix 2

Current Status of Active Clusters with Additional Confirmed COVID-19 Cases Reported Today

(17 October 2020)