Health Ministry: Confirmed coronavirus cases stay at eight, 17 awaiting lab results

PUTRAJAYA: The cumulative positive cases of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCov) in Malaysia remain at eight, all comprising China nationals, says Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (pic).

"Three cases are under the 'Patient-Under-Investigation' (PUI) category while the other five cases are close contacts of other positive cases," the Health Minister said at a daily media briefing at the ministry here on Friday (Jan 31).

He added that the patients remain in stable condition.

"We continue to hope that they will recover and if their status changes from positive to negative, it would be great news," he said.

The total PUI cases in the country are 127, with 107 cases testing negative with 17 still awaiting lab results.

On the global health emergency declaration by the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Dzulkefly said there was no changes on Malaysia's side.

"In fact, the measures we have taken in Malaysia are more than what WHO have recommended.

"We are actively sharing information and data with fellow Asean countries, particularly with our neighbours Singapore.

"We are also taking extra precautions by taking throat swabs of people who are asymptomatic, even though the recommendation by WHO is only for those who show symptoms of the coronavirus.

"We believe we are on top of things and in control," said Dr Dzulkefly.

He also said the Education Ministry had decided to temporarily stop the registration of students from Wuhan and the surrounding Hubei province at all institutions of higher learning.

"Students from other provinces in China are allowed to register to study in Malaysia, but they will be put under strict monitoring by their universities," he said.

He added that teachers, lecturers and students – Malaysians or otherwise – who have been to Wuhan or Hubei would also be put under isolation and observation for 14 days at their homes.

On whether Malaysia will stop public events, Dzulkefly said there was no need to at present.

"We are not going to stop people from attending public events, but people should always take preventive measures by observing personal hygiene and wearing face masks," said Dzulkefly.