Man with Covid-19 was at mosque gathering of 10k people, all told to report symptoms

The Malaysian Health Ministry today revealed that some 10,000 people had participated in a religious gathering at Sri Petaling mosque in Kuala Lumpur between Feb 27 to March 1, where a Bruneian man infected with Covid-19 had also joined in.

"Based on preliminary information, the gathering involved around 10,000 people from a number of countries including Malaysia.

"Malaysian participants were estimated at 5,000 people. All Health Departments are conducting further investigation into the matter in their respective states," Health Ministry director-general Noor Hisham Abdullah (photo).

He urged all those at the event to cooperate with health authorities.

"The Health Ministry urges all those who attended the gathering to give cooperate with the Health Ministry to ensure that Covid-19 does not spread in the community," he said.

The Bruneian man's Covid-19 infection was discovered after he had returned to his home country and became Brunei's first Covid-19 case.

The Bruneian Health Ministry yesterday said the 53-year-old retiree had gone to Kuala Lumpur on Feb 27 to attend the religious gathering and returned to Brunei on March 3 via Miri, Sarawak by talking Air Asia Flight AK5651.

He had also made a day trip to Miri on March 6. He started showing symptoms on March 8 and was confirmed positive with Covid-19 on March 9.

Following the case, the Malaysian Health Ministry urged everyone who had participated in the religious gathering to report to the authorities if they show symptoms.

Noor Hisham said they can contact their district health department, state Crisis Preparedness And Response Centre (CPRC) or reach out to the virtual health advisory through the Health Ministry's website for further advice.

He said they can also get free medical advice through the BookDoc app.

He urged them to maintain good hygiene and proper coughing etiquette.

Noor Hisham said for those not showing symptoms, they are encouraged to practice social distancing by keeping a one-metre distance from other people for 14 days.

He also urged for all mass gatherings to be postponed and for people with respiratory infection symptoms to avoid crowds, including religious activities.

Likewise, he said they should not travel to anywhere in Malaysia during the school holidays.

He also said Malaysians are discouraged from visiting countries worst hit by Covid-19.

- Mkini