THE Covid-19 outbreak has not reached crisis levels in Malaysia with no new cases reported as of today, said Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad after the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned that the virus poses a “very grave threat” to the world.

“If we come to that, we believe we are ready to take on (the virus). But we are not at this stage. Until today, there are no episodes of new infection,” he told reporters in Putrajaya today.

The total number of infected people nationwide remains at 18, he said, adding there has been no fatalities.

Dzulkefly was responding to a statement by WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus who said yesterday that despite 99% of cases being in China, the situation still “holds a very grave threat for the rest of the world.”

“This is an assertion by WHO,” said Dzulkefly.

“We take this into perspective. We believe we have not come to that stage. It is not a crisis where we need to pass the baton to the prime minister (to declare an emergency).”

Dzulkefly said he and other top officials today conferred with their counterparts in Singapore on plans to form a working group chaired by deputy ministers of both countries.

The collaboration is to share information and patient management as well as virus detection on the 300,000 people who cross the causeway daily, he added.

So far, 550 tests have been conducted on patients, of which 18 have tested positive.

There are 23 testing labs nationwide with 54 thermal scanners operated by the ministry.

Another 26 scanners have been ordered, said the minister.

On a reported case of an infected man in Johor today, Dzulkefly said the ministry is looking into the matter.

“We will always assess and review our situation. We, the government of the day, and particularly being custodians of health, will be responsible to review what is needed and take appropriate action for any development.”

The virus, first identified in Wuhan, China on December 31, has killed more than 1,000 people, infected over 42,000 and reached some 25 countries. – February 12, 2020.