Health Ministry 14 Malaysians Nine Foreigners Investigated For Wuhan Virus

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PETALING JAYA: Fourteen Malaysians and nine foreigners were under investigation (PUI) for the novel Wuhan coronavirus (2019-nCoV), says the Health Ministry
Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said between Jan 10 and noon Sunday (Jan 26), the cumulative PUI cases were 23, including eight China nationals and a Jordanian
"Only one case was positive for 2019-nCoV, a 40-year-old man from China while 18 other cases were negative (12 Malaysians, five China nationals and a Jordanian) and have been discharged from hospital
"The remaining four cases (two Malaysians and two China nationals) have been placed in isolation at several hospitals pending laboratory results which is expected soon," he said in a statement on Sunday (Jan 26)
Meanwhile, he said of the eight China nationals who were in direct contact with the first positive case in Singapore, three were positive for the virus in Malaysia, a 65-year-old woman and two children aged 11 and two
"The five negative cases have already been sent back to China
"The 17 tourists who were in contact with the fourth positive case here have been placed under observation and isolated while waiting for test results," he said, adding that all four positive cases were in stable condition
Dr Noor Hisham said suspected cases would be checked and referred to hospital for sample taking and symptom observations."The cases would be monitored until the incubation period for the virus was over which is about 14 days from the day of exposure or departure from China."Anyone who does not follow the instructions given by authorities can be liable to two years' jail or a fine or both under Section 24(a) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988," he said
He added that the ministry was working together with the police to track down suspected and confirmed cases so that patients can be placed in isolation
He also said police helped health officials to trace the whereabouts of a child who was brought out of a hospital in Johor by family members without the approval of the hospital
"The child in question was suspected to be carrying the 2019-nCoV virus and was receiving medical treatment at the hospital
"The child has been brought back to the hospital and is in stable condition while waiting for test results," he said. - Star

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