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
26 May 2020 – The Ministry of Health (MOH) would like to inform that 62 cases have fully recovered and discharged well today. Cumulatively, 6,041 confirmed COVID-19 cases have fully recovered (79.4% of total cumulative cases).
Current Situation of COVID-19 in Malaysia
26 May 2020, 12 pm – A total of 187 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported to the National Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC) MOH today. Cumulatively there are now 7,604 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Malaysia. Therefore, there are currently 1,448 active and infective COVID-19 cases. They have all been isolated and given treatment.
Currently, eight (8) confirmed COVID-19 cases are receiving treatment in intensive care units (ICU), and of these, five (5) cases are on ventilation support.
Fortunately, no additional COVID-19 death was reported to the National CPRC MOH today. Cumulatively, there are 115 COVID-19 deaths in Malaysia (1.51% of total cumulative cases).
Of the 187 additional cases reported today, 10 are imported cases who were infected overseas (7 Malaysians and 3 permanent residents / spouses to the Malaysians). Out of the 177 local transmission cases, 173 cases were amongst non-Malaysians, of which 155 cases were detected at Bukit Jalil Immigration Detention Centre, and 13 cases from the Cheras Security Guards Cluster.
Local transmission amongst Malaysians are only four (4) cases.
Current Status of the Sepang, Bukit Jalil and Semenyih Immigration Detention Centres Clusters
MOH would like to inform on the current status of the three clusters in Sepang, Bukit Jalil and Semenyih Immigration Detention Centres, as follows:
| Immigration Detention Centre | No. of samples taken | No. of positive cases | No. of negative results | Awaiting results | Non-Malaysians |
| Bukit Jalil | 1,543 (1,420 detainees; 123 staff) | 281 | 1,082 | 180 | 281 |
| Semenyih | 1,758 (1,630 detainees; 128 staff) | 66 (1 staff) | 1,355 | 337 | 65 |
| Sepang | 1,450 (1,348 detainees; 102 staff) | 36 | 1,405 | 9 | 36 |
Current Status of Construction Sites Clusters
As of 26 May 2020, 12 pm, MOH has detected 3 clusters involving construction sites. To date, a total of 88 confirmed COVID-19 cases have been detected from all of these construction sites:
- Kuala Lumpur Construction Site Cluster, from which a total of 488 samples were taken:
- 31 confirmed COVID-19 cases were detected, involving 29 Bangladeshi nationals and 2 Indonesian nationals
- 457 tested negative for COVID-19
- Setia Alam Construction Site Cluster, from which a total of 91 samples were taken:
- 13 confirmed COVID-19 cases were detected, all Bangladeshi nationals
- 78 tested negative for COVID-19
- Kuala Lumpur Construction Site 2 Cluster, from which a total of 350 samples were taken:
- 44 confirmed COVID-19 cases were detected, involving 34 Bangladeshi nationals, 9 Indonesian nationals and 1 Malaysian (detected on 25 May 2020)
- 306 tested negative for COVID-19
These clusters were identified following instructions for screening of foreign workers in the construction industry, particularly in the Red Zones in Selangor and the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur. This is exactly as what was directed by the National Security Council (NSC). As of 26 May 2020, a total of 27,383 workers at these construction sites have been screened for COVID-19 by their employers.
The Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya Health Department has ordered the closure of the construction site and housing facilities related to the Kuala Lumpur Construction Site 2 Cluster.
Cleaning and disinfection activities at the construction sites and housing facilities have been initiated. MOH thanks the Malaysian Construction Industry Development Authority (CIDB) for diligently inspecting construction sites to ensure that the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are complied with during the period of the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO).
Crowded and Cramped Housing Causing the Transmission of COVID-19 Infection
In relation to the transmission of COVID-19 infection at construction sites, MOH has found that one of the major contributing factors for COVID-19 infection transmission amongst non-Malaysian workers at these construction sites clusters are as follows:
- Cramped housing facilities with limited spaces, resulting in lack of social distancing practices of individuals within the housing facilities
- Unsatisfactory practices of personal hygiene and unsanitary environment
Employers are responsible for educating employees on good hygiene practices and preventive measures. Employers should also ensure that these practices are not only practiced in the workplaces, but more importantly that these preventive measures are also practiced in their housing facilities. This can reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 infection from the housing facilities to the workplaces, and vice versa.
Employers are required to ensure that the following measures are implemented in the workplaces:
- Provision of hand washing facilities or hand sanitisers
- Safe social distancing of at least 1 metre is practiced in workplaces and dining areas such as:
- Avoid workers gathering in confined spaces
- Avoid too many workers at any one time in any spaces (crowded places)
- Avoid close conversation, by keeping a distance of at least 1 metre away while talking to others
- Regularly carry out disinfection and decontamination activities especially in commonly shared spaces
However, compliance with the SOPs at workplaces will be in vain if the employers are not proactive in ensuring that COVID-19 prevention measures are taken and complied with by the workers at their housing facilities, as follows:
- Avoid the 3Cs as recommended
- Ensure that the beds or sleeping areas are arranged so as to keep a distance of at least 1 to 2 metres apart from each other
- Avoid preparing food and meals in groups or involving too many people
- Avoid eating together in the dining room or area
- Ensure that the TV room or common room are not too crowded at any one time
- Ensure the cleanliness of the housing facilities, including the toilet and its surroundings are maintained with regular cleaning and disinfection
The solution to the issues relating to the foreign workers’ housing facilities will require a comprehensive and integrated approach from all parties. The NSC’s directive that COVID-19 screening be carried out among foreign workers in the construction industry in Selangor and the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur is a precautionary measure, as the screening determines the workers’ health status at the time of testing only, before they are allowed to work again. More importantly are the practices to prevent the spread of this infection. Prevention is better than cure.
Health Advisory on COVID-19
MOH calls on all Malaysians to continue to practice the new norms and new normal in everyday life. The public must continue to comply to all MOH’s recommendations and advisories, including:
- Avoid the 3Cs: Crowded places; Confined spaces; and 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
- Seek early treatment if symptomatic
- Stay at home and avoid from visiting others
- Regularly clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces in common areas
In addition, the public is advised to continue to adhere to ThIS:
- T: Terms and SOPs set under the CMCO
- Hi: High-risk groups such as children, infants, older adults and the disabled must be protected, and if unwell with symptoms, to seek early treatment
- S: Safe social distancing is practiced at all times, of at least 1 metre away from others
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 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
26 May 2020 @ 4.30 pm
Number of Confirmed COVID-19 Cases in Malaysia, by States
(Cumulative, as of 26 May 2020, 12 pm)
| State | No. of New Cases * | Cumulative |
| Perlis | 0 | 18 |
| Kedah | 0 | 96 |
| Pulau Pinang | 0 | 121 |
| Perak | 0 | 255 |
| Selangor | 9 (6) | 1,838 |
| Negeri Sembilan | 1 | 793 |
| Melaka | 0 | 216 |
| Johor | 0 | 671 |
| Pahang | 0 | 344 |
| Terengganu | 0 | 111 |
| Kelantan | 0 | 156 |
| Sabah | 0 | 343 |
| Sarawak | 0 | 549 |
| WP Kuala Lumpur | 177 (4) | 1,984 |
| WP Putrajaya | 0 | 93 |
| WP Labuan | 0 | 16 |
| Total | 187 (10) | 7,604 |
*( ) refers to imported confirmed COVID-19 cases
