The 2019-nCoV virus situation as at 5th February 2020: 564 dead, 1,124 recovered and 27,619 confirmed cases. Since 3rd February 2020, the number of deaths has increased by another 138 deaths.
Compared to 3rd February 2020, the fatality rate as at 5th February 2020 had continued to reduce from 2.14% to 2.04% and as well as the recovery rate from 3.13% to 4.07%. The number of confirmed cases in Malaysia unfortunately had increased from 8 cases to 12 confirmed cases but without any fatality. Image source: The Center for Systems Science and Engineering
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It was a matter of time before this happens – the first Malaysian to be infected with the coronavirus after almost 2 plus months after the virus was detected in China.
There was another 2 more Malaysians were infected with the virus but they were travelling from Wuhan and the additional one more infected was a Chinese national.
A Malaysian man has tested positive for the Wuhan virus, the first local to date, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad at a press conference today.
Dzulkefly said the man travelled to Singapore from January 16 to 23 to attend a meeting which had several foreign delegates, including from China.
“He returned to Malaysia on January 23, and on January 29, he received treatment at a private hospital because of fever and cough.
He said the 41-year-old patient was stable, and the Health Ministry has contacted its Singaporean counterpart, which confirmed that it has begun tracing those who had been in contact with him.
(Source)
The question is who are the people who have been in contact with the first Malaysian who got the virus and from whom he got the virus from in the first place? Is that person been detected and quarantined as well?
Award Winning Journalist & Fake News
It is understandable if some lay persons who don’t have access to information, stricken with fear & prejudice can resort to believing fake news and then share them with others. But then when people who are suppose to professionals and suppose to check their facts can loose their professional bearings and spread the same fake news on social media, it is unforgivable..
Award-winning journalist charged with inciting mischief over posts on Wuhan virus
Journalist Wan Noor Hayati Wan Alias was charged today with three counts of causing public fear or alarm in the Magistrate’s Court here, believed to be over her social media posts on the recent 2019-nCoV coronavirus outbreak.
Wan Noor Hayati, 41, pleaded not guilty on all charges in front of Magistrate Tawfiq Affandy Chin, as reported by Astro Awani.
Wan Noor Hayati, if found guilty, may face prison up to two years, or with fine, or both.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurilya Ellyna Nor Azma requested for the judge to refuse her bail, but the accused was eventually granted bail of RM12,000 for all charges with one guarantor.
Wan Noor Hayati has written for Berita Harian and New Straits Times, both under the New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd that is part of Media Prima Group. She had received the prestigious Kajai Award in 2014 and Tokoh Wartawan Rakyat in 2016, in addition to over 20 other journalism awards.
(Source)
The question is – will this reduce the instances of fake news flying around the social media lately?
Shortage of Facial Mask
Since 2 weeks ago, we have been hunting high and low with the pharmacies and other family members for facial masks for the kids. I even had my brother-in-law who has an uncle who is a doctor & has a private clinic but no luck. In fact, I heard the DJ on the radio talking about it and they too having the same problem.
Perhaps manufacturers and suppliers are keeping them hidden to get the price up or perhaps there has been a widespread panic buy from Malaysians that cause these shortages in the first place.
Then couple days ago, I was clearing up the “doomsday store room” and discovered an unopened pack of high quality Japanese made facial masks. We had completely forgotten about it – it was purchased some time ago when we had terrible haze but we decided not to use it then. Note to myself – need to buy & hoard facial masks in the doomsday store room for the next pandemic.
Members of the public are advised not to trigger a sudden panic purchasing of face masks in the wake of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak in China as it could lead to apprehension among people.
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the government would ensure a sufficient supply of the face masks to meet the high demand for the item currently.
Saifuddin Nasution said local manufacturers and importers had been told to increase production and import of the face masks during a meeting with the ministry last week.
(Source)
The bottom line is there is a dire shortage of facial mask in the country – so how fast this can be resolved?
Cruise Ship Nightmare
And finally it is a worse case scenario – people turning into zombies and you are stuck in a cruise ship in the middle of the sea and no one dares to approach the ship to rescue you. Oh wait, that’s the draft script for the next zombie movie.
At least 10 people on a cruise ship quarantined off the coast of Japan have tested positive for the new coronavirus, Japan’s health minister said on Wednesday.
Japan quarantined the vessel carrying 3,711 people and was testing those onboard for the virus after a former passenger was diagnosed with the illness after disembarking in Hong Kong.
(Source)
This only means that current detection scope needs to be widen up and this should include cargo planes & ships and all packages & parcels sent from the virus affected cities in China. Perhaps for the time being, imports from China needs to be stopped or reduced to only the essentials.