Covid-19 cases jump to 197, gov't to postpone all mass gatherings

CORONAVIRUS | The number of Covid-19 cases in the country is now at 197.

The Health Ministry said in a statement tonight that there are 39 new cases today.

It said that 38 of these cases were patients under investigation, while one was from close contact.

According to an infographic shared by Health director-general Noor Hisham Abdullah, 34 of these new cases are linked to the tabligh gathering in Sri Petaling from Feb 27 to Mar 1.

A total of 40 of the 14,500 Malaysians who attended the gathering are now infected with Covid-19.

The ministry estimated that 16,000 attended the ijtima’ tabligh at the Kuala Lumpur mosque.

"The Health Ministry continues to detect isolate and treat this cluster. Indeed, it’s a mammoth task, and we hope for the best," tweeted Health director-general Noor Hisham Abdullah.

Four Covid-19 patients currently require breathing assistance and are being treated in intensive care units. They have also been given anti-virals.

The Health Ministry has advised the public to avoid public gatherings and for all such events to be postponed or cancelled until at least April 30.

Meanwhile, in a televised address, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said in light of the developments, the government has decided to postpone all mass gatherings.

This includes international meetings, sporting, social, and religious events.

However, it appears that this does not mean the Friday prayers have been suspended.

Instead, Muhyiddin said that prayers at mosques should follow guidelines issued by de facto Islamic affairs minister Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri.

He said state Islamic bodies should issue similar guidelines. Other religions who plan to do mass gatherings are advised to follow the advice of the Health Ministry.

Meanwhile, Muhyiddin said Covid-19 has hit the tourism industry hard, with losses between January and February estimated at RM3.37 billion.

He said the government expects the country's annual gross domestic product to be 0.8 percent to 1.2 percent lower, that is between RM10.8 billion and RM17.3 billion lower.

This translates to total GDP growth of between 3.6 percent to 4 percent, lower than the earlier forecast of 4.8 percent growth. - Mkini