MALAYSIAN authorities are meeting now to discuss the next steps in stemming the coronavirus outbreak from China that has caused four cases here and thousands more across the world. 

Fifty-six people have died in China thus far as Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail chairs a high-powered meeting in Putrajaya to discuss the disease cluster.

Wan Azizah is also president of the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma).

At the meeting is Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah, Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo and Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik.

Also present are Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador, Health Ministry Director-General Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah and Immigration Department Director-General Khairul Dzaimee Daud.

The coronavirus, which originated in Wuhan, Hubei province, has killed 56 people and left almost 2,000 ill.

Malaysia has four confirmed cases of infection, as has Singapore.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had said the spread of the novel coronavirus is not at the stage where tourists should be turned away from entering the country.

“We cannot predict at this moment (how serious it will be). Many countries also face the same problem. We will also have to assess when it has hit the critical stage.”

The prime minister added the government has started taking action to curb the spread of the virus.

“This is a serious issue as we don’t recognise this disease. We are also not very sure about the treatment.

“At the moment, it is prevention, not treatment, and it consist of wearing masks and keeping away from people who are suspected of being infected.”

A press conference is expected to be held later today after the meeting. – January 26, 2020.