FIVE new Covid-19 cases linked to the 26th case have been reported today, bringing the total number of cases in Malaysia to 55, Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said today.

“All of these cases have been closely linked to the 26th positive case. These cases are close contacts of the positive case in that cluster,” he said in a statement after attending a Coronavirus (Covid-19) Cluster Working Committee Meeting chaired by the chief secretary to the government.

He added that the detection of the close contacts of the case cluster is still ongoing.

Patient 26 is said to be a Uda Holdings Bhd board member, who was tested positive on March 1.

Noor Hisham said with the five new cases reported to the Health Ministry’s Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC) as of 12pm today, the total number of cases in the cluster stood at 26.

In view of the decisions made during the meeting, Noor Hisham said Malaysians are advised not to travel to Lombardy, Veneto and Emilia-Romagna in Italy, Hokkaido in Japan and Tehran, Qom and Gilan in Iran.

“The meeting had also decided to temporarily restrict the entry of all visitors (regardless of nationality) who are at the cities or visited the cities and states within a period of 14 days prior to their arrival to Malaysia,” he said.

So far, a total of 55 cases have been reported in Malaysia, of which 22 have been cured and discharged.

Malaysians who are in the aforementioned cities are advised to step up precautionary measures, improve hygiene, take care of their health and always adhere to the orders of local authorities.

Citizens overseas are also encouraged to register themselves with the nearest Malaysian Embassy.

In addition to that, control items such as face masks will be gazetted to prohibit exports and ensure sufficient stocks for domestic use.

The ministry has also advised organisations which have detected positive cases not to close the premises but to only disinfect and sanitise the building frequently.

This is to avoid panic in places where a positive case has been detected.

“Those who have been traced as close contacts by MOH will be screened. MOH hopes those who have been identified remain calm and always cooperate by providing accurate information when contacted or identified as close contact,” he said.

At the same time, all parties were asked to refrain from circulating information which can cause concern among the people.

Meanwhile, the Kuala Lumpur Bar Committee chairman Harleen Kaur said in a notice today that a member who attended its annual general meeting on February 27, has been tested positive for Covid-19.

“The Health Ministry is aware of this,” she said while advising symptomatic attendees of the AGM to seek medical advice.

The virus has thus far infected more than 90,000 people and claimed more than 3,000 lives. – March 5, 2020.