PRESS STATEMENT
MINISTRY OF HEALTH MALAYSIA
UPDATES ON THE CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19)
SITUATION IN MALAYSIA
Current Status of Confirmed COVID-19 Cases Who Have Recovered
16 May 2020 – The Ministry of Health (MOH) would like to inform that 73 cases have fully recovered and discharged well today. Cumulatively, 5,512 confirmed COVID-19 cases have fully recovered and discharged well (80.2% of total cumulative cases).
Current Situation of COVID-19 in Malaysia
16 May 2020, 12 pm – A total of 17 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported to the National Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC) MOH today. Cumulatively there are now 6,872 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Malaysia. Therefore, there are currently 1,247 active and infective COVID-19 cases. Of the 17 additional cases reported today, six (6) are imported cases who were infected overseas, while eleven (11) cases are local transmission involving five (5) non-Malaysians.
Currently, 13 confirmed COVID-19 cases are receiving treatment in intensive care units (ICU), and of these, five (5) cases are on ventilation support.
Regretfully, one (1) additional COVID-19 death was reported to the National CPRC MOH today. Cumulatively, there are now 113 COVID-19 deaths in Malaysia (1.64% of total cumulative cases):
- Death #113: Case 6,856 is a 53 year-old Malaysian woman who has a history of cancer and hypertension. She was an MOH healthcare worker in Sabah, however on extended sick-leave due to cancer. She was admitted into the Women and Children’s Hospital, Likas, Sabah on 5 May 2020 because of worsening health condition. She was pronounced dead on 7 May 2020, 1.30 pm.
MOH conveys condolences to the family members.
Confirmed COVID-19 Cases Amongst Children and Infants in Malaysia
MOH would like to inform that in addition to older adults, children and infants are also at high-risk for COVID-19 infection. Children and infants need to be protected so that they are less exposed to and infected with COVID-19.
As of 16 May 2020, there are 317 confirmed COVID-19 cases among children age 12 years and under. Of these, 112 cases (35%) were in children age 4 year and under, and 22 cases (7%) in infants less than 1 year. So far, no COVID-19 deaths have been reported in children under 12 years.
Selangor has recorded the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases amongst children under 12 years old with 77 cases, followed by Negeri Sembilan (48 cases), Johor (46 cases), the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya (28 cases), and Sabah (26 cases). A summary is shown in Table 1.
Parents, guardians and older family members need to protect children and infants from the dangers of COVID-19 infection. Parents and guardians must educate their children so that they can maintain a high level of personal hygiene, regular handwashing with water and soap, and it is strongly recommended to wear face masks in public areas, especially in crowded areas.
Health Advisory on COVID-19
MOH calls on parents, guardians and older family members to take responsibility to protect children and infants at all times from being exposed to this invisible virus.
The general public is also encouraged to cooperate in protecting children and infants, by avoiding being within one metre from them (i.e. by practicing safe social distancing).
The public is also advised to adhere to the 3Cs and 3Ws as recommended by MOH:
- Avoid the 3Cs: Crowded places; Confined spaces; Close conversations
- Practice the 3Ws: Wash hands frequently with water and soap; Wearing facemasks are strongly encouraged in public areas or if symptomatic; Warn self and others for the following, in line with MOH’s advisories:
- Avoid shaking hands or touching others
- Practice good coughing and sneezing etiquette
- Disinfect frequently touched surfaces
- Stay at home and go out only for important matters
- Seek treatment if symptomatic
MOH will continue to monitor the development of the COVID-19 situation, both in the country as well as internationally, based on available information from the World Health Organization (WHO). The public will be continuously updated on the latest information. In addition, MOH will ensure that appropriate preventive and control measures are continuously implemented.
Thank you.
Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah
Director General of Health Malaysia
16 May 2020 @ 4.30 pm
Number of Confirmed COVID-19 Cases in Malaysia, by States
(Cumulative, as of 16 May 2020, 12 pm)
| State | No. of New Cases * | Cumulative |
| Perlis | 0 | 18 |
| Kedah | 0 | 95 |
| Pulau Pinang | 0 | 121 |
| Perak | 0 | 255 |
| Selangor | 1 (1) | 1,628 |
| Negeri Sembilan | 0 | 776 |
| Melaka | 0 | 215 |
| Johor | 0 | 668 |
| Pahang | 7 (4) | 335 |
| Terengganu | 0 | 110 |
| Kelantan | 0 | 155 |
| Sabah | 1 | 331 |
| Sarawak | 0 | 544 |
| WP Kuala Lumpur | 7 | 1,515 |
| WP Putrajaya | 1 (1) | 90 |
| WP Labuan | 0 | 16 |
| Total | 17 (6) | 6,872 |
*( ) refers to imported confirmed COVID-19 cases
