Darussalam Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation Report Weekly report for the week ending 4 April 2021

Brunei Darussalam Situation summary  In the past week, seven new imported cases were reported in Brunei Darussalam, bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases to 214 cases, including three deaths.  The most recently imported case was reported on 3 April 2021. The patient is a 23-year-old female who travelled from Jakarta, Indonesia and arrived in Brunei Darussalam on 21 March. The test confirmation date was not specified, and the case did not have any close contacts in Brunei Darussalam.  As of 4 April, 14 active cases remain in hospital, with no cases admitted to the intensive care unit.  Nine new cases have recovered in the past seven days, bringing the total number of recoveries to 197, with no recent COVID-19-associated deaths reported.  On 31 March, COVAX shipped 24 000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine from Amsterdam via Singapore to Brunei Darussalam. They arrived on 2 April 2021 in the morning. This most recent shipment is part of the total 100 800 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine expected to reach the country under the COVAX Facility. Furthermore, Brunei Darussalam has secured approximately 52 000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine.  On 3 April, Brunei Darussalam began COVID-19 vaccinations under the National Vaccination Program for COVID-19, with His Majesty the Sultan being the first to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Under Phase 1, front-line workers, especially medical personnel in the national government and private medical institutions, will receive the vaccine. Following that, the remaining front-line workers will be given priority for vaccination.  As of 4 April, a total of 822 individuals have been vaccinated. Of these, 536 individuals are located in the Brunei Muara , 129 in the , 117 in the district, and 40 in the Temburong istrict.

Upcoming events and priorities  On 3 April, the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) announced that Ramadhan-related religious activities, such as Sunnat Tarawikh prayers, breaking of the fast, Bertadarus Al-Quran and Qiamullail, will be permitted at mosques. There will be no age limit to attend such events, but only those with designated green and yellow COVID-19 risk codes on the BruHealth app will be allowed to enter the premises. All attendees will be required to strictly comply with COVID-19 measures outlined by authorities.  According to the Ministry of Health, at least 70% of Brunei Darussalam’s adult population are expected to be vaccinated under the National Vaccination Program under three phases: o Phase 1: Front-line workers, adults aged 60 years and above, as well as students or individuals who will be studying abroad. o Phase 2: Staff working at day-care centres, teachers and adults at high risk or with comorbidities. o Phase 3: Other individuals who are 18 years and above.  Further information on vaccines and the National Vaccination Program for COVID-19 can be found on the MOH website.  For more information regarding COVID-19 in Brunei Darussalam: o Visit the Ministry of Health Brunei Darussalam website. o Contact the Health Advice Line 148. o Visit the BruHealth App website for more information.

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1 Brunei Darussalam Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation Report Weekly report for the week ending 4 April 2021

National transmission assessment

National transmission stage assessment: Stage 1 – Imported cases (high confidence) Week 13 (29 March – 4 April 2021)

Brunei Darussalam reported seven new imported COVID-19 cases this past week. Among the cases, three were detected among travellers from the Philippines, two among travellers from Indonesia, and one case each among travellers from Nepal and Egypt. As of 4 April 2021, Brunei Darussalam has recorded 214 COVID-19 cases and a total of three deaths. Currently, Brunei Darussalam has 14 active cases being treated at the National Isolation Centre (NIC). All travellers entering the country are placed in government-maintained quarantine and isolation facilities upon arrival. Since May 2021, there have been a total of 73 imported confirmed cases in Brunei Darussalam. It has been 333 days since the last reported locally transmitted case. Travel restrictions from countries considered as high risk remain in effect.

Epi Update Tests Cases Deaths ICU COVID-19 7 0 Data reported for 1968 0 New cases in the ICU utilization rate epi week ending 4 Tests in the Deaths in the past 7 days in the past 7 days April 2021 past 7 days past 7 days (% difference (+33.4%) (+600.0%) (-) (-) compared to the 1 previous 7 days) 115 503 214 3 85 Cumulative tests Cumulative cases Cumulative deaths ICU beds for COVID-19 0.20% 1.40% patients Positivity rate Case fatality rate Imported 7 (100%) 0 0 0 cases and Imported cases Cases in the past 7 Active clusters Active clusters with clusters in the past 7 days days with no link more than three generations

1 As of 30 March 2020: 58 ICU beds in hospitals and 27 in the National Isolation Centre. Source: https://sites.google.com/site/weechiankoh/home/COVID-19 2 of 3

2 Brunei Darussalam Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation Report Weekly report for the week ending 4 April 2021

Epidemiology Fig. 1. New daily reported COVID-19 cases, Brunei Darussalam, 8 March 2020 to 4 April 2021

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Strategic approach

Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPI)  As of 4 April, 472 individuals entering the country from abroad are undergoing mandatory quarantine at government-run monitoring centres. Since March 2020, a total of 16 081 individuals have completed mandatory quarantine at these centres. Testing and surveillance  A total of 1968 samples have been tested for SARS-CoV-2 in the past seven days, bringing the total number of laboratory tests conducted since January 2020 to 115 503. This equates to approximately 25% of the population. Vaccine

 COVID-19 vaccination centres have been set up in four across Brunei Darussalam: o Brunei Muara district: Indoor Stadium, Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex. o : Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah Hospital. o Belait district: Suri Seri Begawan Hospital. o Pengiran Isteri Hajjah Mariam Hospital.

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