Malaysia records first three coronavirus cases, joining S'pore, France and other nations

By: Mohamad Harith Mohamad Nizar

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 25 -- Three Chinese nationals who were declared today as the first coronavirus cases in Malaysia, are also the family members of a 66-year-old man confirmed on Thursday as Singapore's first case, with the infection now spreading as far as France, Australia and the United States.

In China, where infections of the novel coronavirus, also known as the Wuhan coronavirus were first reported, it has been a sombre Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, with the number of infected increasing and affected cities remaining in lockdown. 

The Chinese media has reported that the number of people in China who have been infected with the virus stands at 1,287 today, including 41 deaths and 237 in critical condition.

Out of the 41 deaths, 39 occurred in central China's Hubei Province, one in north China's Hebei Province and one in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, according to the National Health Commission.

Apart from Malaysia, Australia too has reported one case today, while France confirmed three cases yesterday, a testament that the disease has now reached Europe.

The United States reported its first case on Jan 21 and its second infection today. Other nations with confirmed cases include Thailand and Vietnam.

In containing the spread of the virus, China has taken drastic steps including imposing strict travel restrictions to and from the affected cities comprising Wuhan, Huanggang, Ezhou, Chibi, Xiantao, Qianjiang, Zhijiang and Lichuan.

It has also been reported that China is undertaking a herculean feat to complete a 1,000-bed hospital within a week to treat the rising number of infected persons.

Meanwhile in Malaysia, the authorities being well aware that there could be more coronavirus cases to come, have tightened the screening process at entry points across the country.     

Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) in a statement here today said it is also taking extra efforts in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, to screen international passengers at its airports across the country.

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, when asked on the first reported coronavirus cases in Malaysia, said while the government had no plans to stop visitors from China coming into the country, they would be screened thoroughly at entry points. 

He advised Malaysians to take precautions including wearing face masks when in crowded places.

Dr Mahathir also pointed out the difficulties faced by affected nations in containing the infection as there was more cross-border movement of people and things all over the world nowadays.    

Malaysians in Wuhan, China, the epicentre of the outbreak, are safe so far, with no reports of any one of them contracting the virus.

In confirming this, Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Marzuki Yahya said the Malaysian embassy in China has been keeping a close watch over developments there.

When making the announcement this morning about the first three coronavirus cases in Malaysia, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the three individuals comprised the 65-year-old wife and two male grandchildren, aged two and 11, of Singapore's first infected individual.

Dr Dzulkefly had also said that there were 11 suspected coronavirus cases in Malaysia comprising individuals who had travelled to China. Tests on 10 had come back negative while the eleventh case comprising a Malaysian, was being "isolated at Hospital Kuala Lumpur while waiting for laboratory tests".

-- BERNAMA