Wuhan virus: Health authorities waiting for lab results of five patients with symptoms, says Dr Dzul

SEPANG: Health authorities are waiting for the laboratory test results of five patients who have symptoms of coronavirus, Says Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.

The Health Minister said the five patients under investigation are all Chinese nationals.

Two of them - children - are now being observed in Langkawi Hospital, two in Kuala Lumpur Hospital and one in Bintulu Hospital.

"Their test results will be known by the end of the day," he said after visiting KLIA and KLIA2 on Monday (Jan 27).

The number of those infected by the coronavirus remains at four people - all Chinese nationals.

Health authorities said that between Jan 10 and 26, the cumulative number of those identified as Patient-Under-Investigation (PUI) was 37 cases, of which 18 are Malaysians, another 18 are Chinese nationals while one is a Jordanian.

As of Jan 26 at 3pm, 164,692 travellers arrived at Malaysia's inernational entry points.

Of the number, nine travellers were referred for health checks and they did not fit the criteria for 2019-nCoV PUI.

Dr Dzulkefly said that 12 additional thermal scanners will be purchased and installed at entry points nationwide for a more effective screening exercise

"We have also reminded our medical frontliners, especially nurses, to practice high-level of selfcare when dealing with patients, particularly PUIs," he said.