THE Health Ministry today confirmed another two new cases of the 2019 novel coronavirus in the country, bringing the total to 14.

Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said in one of the cases, the sister of a Malaysian who tested positive for the 2019 novel coronavirus after returning from a seven-day trip to Singapore, has been infected.

Dzulkefly said the 40-year-old woman from Sungai Petani is the first local transmission of the virus and was infected when the brother returned home for Chinese New Year on January 23.

“The moment the brother was diagnosed as having the virus the health department tracked the family. Subsequent tests showed she had contracted the virus. 

“She is now in the isolation ward of the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Star and is in stable condition,” he told the daily media conference on the situation in Putrajaya today.

Dzulkefly said she had complained of sore throat on February 1 and cough on February 4 and sought treatment at a private clinic.

The health minister also confirmed another case of a Chinese national who tested positive for the virus and is currently at the isolation ward of the Kuala Lumpur Hospital.

Dzulkefly said the 35-year-old woman arrived in Kuala Lumpur on January 25 with her mother and three friends.

They had also visited several spots in the city before falling ill on February 1.

“She is now being treated at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital after showing flu-like symptoms on February 1.

“Her case was confirmed on February 5,” he said.

Meanwhile Dzulkefly said that the virus can only be spread through droplets of saliva, which is produced through coughing or sneezing.

“If you touch something that has droplet of saliva you can carry the virus. It happens through close contact when a person with the virus sneezes or coughs,” he said.

Up to this morning, the virus has has claimed 563 lives, infected more than 28,000 people in mainland China and spread to more than 20 countries. – February 6, 2020.