Malaysia Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation Report Weekly Report for the Week Ending 7 February 2021

Malaysia Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation Report Weekly report for the week ending 7 February 2021

Malaysia Situation summary  As of 7 February 2021, there have been a total of 242 452 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Malaysia.  In the past seven days, 27 493 new cases have been reported, an 11.8% decrease of cases compared to the previous week. Of the newly reported cases, only 39 (0.1%) were imported.  In the past seven days, 112 new deaths have been reported. This brings the total number of COVID- 19 deaths in Malaysia to 872. The highest single-day increase in COVID-19 deaths was reported on 2 February with 21 deaths.  As of 7 February, the national real-time reproductive number (Rt) was estimated at 0.92 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.91 –0.93), a reduction compared to 1.16 reported for the week ending 31 January 2021.  Between 1 December 2020 and 7 February 2021, a total of 312 623 foreign workers have undergone COVID-19 screening. A total of 6093 (1.9%) have tested positive for infection. A total of 1268 clinics nationwide are involved in foreign worker screenings.  Between January 2020 and 5 February 2021, a total of 4756 medical personnel have contracted COVID-19. Of these, 3101 (65.2%) cases were among women. A total of 43% were infected through community transmission. Additionally, 936 non-health front-line workers have tested positive for COVID-19.  On 5 February, the Ministry of Health (MOH) reported a second case of the B.1.1.7 SARS-CoV-2 variant detected in Malaysia. The case was detected in a Malaysian traveller returning from the United Arab Emirates.

Upcoming events and priorities  The government has released standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the upcoming Chinese New Year celebrations.  Federal authorities are in the process of amending the Workers’ Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990 to improve workers’ accommodation nationally. Employers will be required to provide accommodations that fulfil a set standard and bear the cost of accommodation, transfer and testing of workers. Additionally, employers may be required to monitor foreign workers during working hours at the premises and after work at their accommodation, and ensure the accommodation centre agencies provide accommodations that meet standards and requirements.  The Prime Minister has announced that Malaysia’s National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme will begin at the end of February. The programme will be rolled out in three phases. The programme aims to vaccinate over 80% of the population. The first phase will be carried out starting in February 2021 and aims to vaccinate 500 000 health-care workers and front-line workers. The second phase will commence in May 2021 and will immunize about 9.4 million individuals in high-risk groups. High-risk groups include senior citizens aged 60 years and older and vulnerable groups who suffer chronic underlying diseases. The third phase will cover the general public except children possibly starting in August 2021. Doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine are expected to arrive in the country this month.  Malaysia has identified several countries with which to establish travel bubble arrangements. Such agreements are subject to bilateral discussions and considerations on health, immigration, data tracking and ongoing monitoring by relevant agencies.

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1 Malaysia Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation Report Weekly report for the week ending 7 February 2021

National transmission assessment

National transmission stage assessment: Stage 3 (low confidence) – Large-scale community transmission Week 5 (1–7 February 2021)

The number of cases reported in the week ending 7 February (27 493 cases) dropped by 11.8% from the previous week, after several weeks of continued increase, but remains high with an average of 3928 cases reported per day. There was a slight drop (-3.4%) in the number of tests conducted, with an average of 55 062 tests per day and a test positivity rate of 7.13%. On average, there were 309 people in intensive care per day. Only 0.1% of the total cases were imported. Selangor reported the highest number of cases. The Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and Johor, which previously reported rapid increases in cases, are showing initial signs of decline in reported cases while Sarawak, Penang and Malacca are showing initial signs of potential increase. Malacca, however, is reporting cases in workplace clusters with relatively low proportions of unlinked cases. The current high reported number of cases is potentially due to targeted testing among high-risk groups, as seen in the large numbers of workplace-related clusters reported. Among non-citizens who were tested, the percentage positive is higher compared to Malaysian citizens. Nationwide, up to 30% of newly reported cases were categorized as unlinked at the time of reporting. There are signs of community transmission in eight states. Selangor previously cited some case reporting backlog, but it is uncertain if this is still the case. The current Movement Control Order (MCO), which is not as stringent as the first MCO implemented in March 2020 (currently selected economic sectors remain open), has been in place for about three weeks. Initial data show a drop in population mobility and a drop in the number of cases reported. These trends are being monitored to assess whether it is a sustained change.

EPI Update Tests Cases Deaths ICU COVID-19 27 493 Data reported for 385 434 112 55.0% New cases in the EPI week ending Tests in the Deaths in the ICU utilization rate past 7 days 7 February 2021 past 7 days past 7 days (-6.7%) (-3.4%) (-11.8%) (% difference (+36.6%) compared to the previous 7 days) 5 215 862 242 452 872 533 Cumulative tests Cumulative cases Cumulative ICU beds for COVID-19 deaths patients (including priva 4.65% te hospitals) Positivity rate 0.36% Case fatality rate

Imported 39 8239 441 n/a Active clusters Active clusters with cases and (0.1%) (30.0%) more than three clusters Imported cases in the Cases in the past 7 generations past 7 days days with no link

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2 Malaysia Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation Report Weekly report for the week ending 7 February 2021

Epidemiology

Fig 1. Daily reported COVID-19 cases, Malaysia, as of 7 February 2021

Table 1: Active cases and real-time reproductive number (Rt) estimates by state, as of 7 February 2021 State Active casesa Rt estimate 95% CI FT Kuala Lumpur 7822 1.03 1.01–1.05 FT Labuan 150 0.75 0.64–1.87 FT Putrajaya 173 0.70 0.60–0.81 Johor 8724 1.09 1.07–1.11 Kedah 798 0.87 0.82–0.92 Kelantan 634 0.80 0.74–0.85 Malacca 1660 1.17 1.11–1.22 Negeri Sembilan 1266 0.90 0.85–0.95 Pahang 635 0.95 0.88–1.02 Penang 1808 1.07 1.02–1.12 Perak 1077 0.92 0.87–0.97 Perlis 12 0.70 0.48–0.95 Sabah 3536 0.81 0.79–0.84 Sarawak 2240 1.01 0.97–1.06 Selangor 23 333 1.10 1.09–1.12 Terengganu 778 0.86 0.80–0.91 a This state-level reporting is on a rolling 14-day basis, from 25 January to 7 February 2021, and excludes imported cases. Source: MOH Malaysia.

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3 Malaysia Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation Report Weekly report for the week ending 7 February 2021

Clusters  Of the 895 clusters identified in Malaysia to date, 441 are currently active. A total of 78 new clusters were identified in the past week, including one new health-care-related cluster and one detention centre cluster. In the past week, 29 clusters have been declared closed.

Table 2: New clusters reported in the week ending 7 February 2021, by state and type of clustera States Workplace Prison/ Health care Community Social Total (%) detention gathering centre FT Kuala Lumpur 5 0 1 3 0 9 (11.5) FT Labuan 0 0 0 0 0 0 FT Putrajaya 1 0 0 0 0 1 (1.3) Johor 12 0 0 1 0 13 (16.6) Kedah 0 0 0 0 0 0 Kelantan 0 1 0 0 0 1 (1.3) Malacca 1 0 0 0 0 1 (1.3) Negeri Sembilan 3 0 0 0 0 3 (3.8) Pahang 3 0 0 3 1 7 (9.0) Penang 2 0 0 0 0 2 (2.6) Perak 3 0 0 1 1 5 (6.4) Perlis 0 0 0 0 0 0 Sabah 5 0 0 0 2 7 (9.0) Sarawak 3 0 0 0 1 4 (5.1) Selangor 21 0 0 1 0 22 (28.2) Terengganu 2 0 0 1 0 3 (3.8) Total (%) 61 (78.2) 1 (1.3) 1 (1.3) 10 (12.8) 5 (6.4) 78 a Classification of cluster type is made by the WHO Country Office, based on information released by the MOH.

 As of 7 February, a total of 528 905 non-Malaysians have been screened, of which 87 613 (16.6%) tested positive. Among these, 86 993 (99.3%) cases were locally transmitted, while 620 (0.7%) were imported. To date, 116 deaths have been reported among non-Malaysians, making up 13.3% of total deaths. The proportion of fatal cases (PFC) was 0.13% among non-citizens, compared to 0.49% PFC among Malaysians.

Mortality In the past seven days, 112 new deaths were reported in Malaysia. Of these, 30 (26.8%) were recorded in Selangor, and 10 (8.9%) deaths were among non-Malaysians.

Strategic approach

Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPI)  Authorities have announced the SOPs for the upcoming Chinese New Year holidays. Religious activities in houses of worship will be permitted on 11, 12 and 19 February, from 6:00 to 14:00. The number of worshippers will be limited to no more than 30 people at any one time. The duration for prayers will be no more than 30 minutes and will be closely followed by sanitization before the next prayer time. Family reunion dinners will be limited to no more than 15 family 4 of 3

4 Malaysia Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation Report Weekly report for the week ending 7 February 2021

members living within 10 km radius of each other. Inter-state or inter-district travel remain prohibited.  Effective 5 February, night markets, barbershops, hair salons and car wash centres were allowed to operate until 22:00 daily.  Effective 8 February, marriage solemnization ceremonies will be allowed in all kariah mosques and Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) offices in FT Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan. Only five people will be permitted to attend such ceremonies in person. All participants must maintain physical distancing at all times.  All students undertaking the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and Sijil Vokasional Malaysia (SVM) examinations will not have face-to-face classes beginning 10 February. Students may return to hostels following the Chinese New Year celebrations but will be required to be isolated for 10 days upon return. Any affected students will sit for their examinations in special rooms during this period.

Table 3: Movement control orders currently being implemented State Location Type of MCO Effective dates Malacca State-wide MCO Extended to 18 February Sungai Udang prison and staff quarters EMCO 3–16 February Pahang State-wide MCO Extended to 18 February Bentong Prison and staff quarters EMCO Extended to 22 February Perak State-wide MCO Extended to 18 February Felcra Nasaruddin, Perak Tengah EMCO 3–16 February Felda Bersia, Hulu Perak Kampung Orang Asli Batu 6, Jalan EMCO Extended to 10 February Pahang at Batang Padang Felda Lasah, Kuala Kangsar EMCO 4–17 February Kampung Besi Api, Kuala Kangsar Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) EMCO 6–19 February Sultan Idris Shah II, Geril Taiping Prison and staff quarters EMCO Extended to 22 February Terengganu State-wide MCO Extended to 18 February Felda Tersat EMCO 4–17 February TNB quarters construction, Kuala Berang FT Kuala Lumpur FT Labuan FT Putrajaya Johor Kedah Kelantan State-wide MCO Extended to 18 February Negeri Sembilan Selangor Penang Perlis Sabah Sarawak Kampung Sebako 1, Lundu EMCO 6–19 February Kampung Sebako 2, Lundu Kampung Sungai Ud, Dalat, Mukah EMCO Extended to 16 February Kampung Sungai Ud Hilir, Dalat, Mukah

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5 Malaysia Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation Report Weekly report for the week ending 7 February 2021

Surveillance and testing  As of 4 February, Malaysia has a total of 68 laboratories capable of carrying out up to 76 805 COVID- 19 tests per day.  Effective 1 February, it is mandatory for all foreign workers in Malaysia to undergo COVID-19 testing. A total of 890 clinics have been identified for the testing programme. Those who do not comply with the directive will not be allowed to renew their Temporary Working Visit Pass.  The Malawai Stadium located in Selangor has been converted into an operational COVID-19 Assessment Centre (CAC) for the Petaling district, replacing the current hall at the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ). The facility will be able to accommodate up to 1500 COVID-19 patients. At the CAC, patients will be assessed for where they need to complete their isolation period, either at the hospital, at a low-risk quarantine and treatment centre or at home.  The Institute of Medical Research (IMR) is conducting heightened and constant surveillance to detect new COVID-19 variants. Genome sequencing would be done on samples collected from local clusters with a large number of positive cases.

Health-care capacity  Private hospitals are preparing to contribute 1409 additional COVID-19 beds nationally. A total of 65 beds will be used in intensive care units (ICU). The MOH has been working with 31 private hospitals to partially outsource non-COVID-19 patients for treatment. Authorities have allocated RM 27 million in 2021 for this purpose.  A new low-risk isolation and treatment centre erected at Pasir Gudang Indoor Stadium will be used to accommodate COVID-19 cases detected in Johor. The centre is expected to be operational by 10 February and will provide an additional 1200 COVID-19 beds. The centre will only house category 1 and 2 patients that are unable to undergo self-isolation at home.1  Pahang state government has set up a quarantine station for students sitting for the SPM examinations whose parents are COVID-19 patients. The station can accommodate up to 200 students.

Risk communication and community engagement  Authorities will adopt an uncompromising approach to COVID-19 SOP violations from 4 February. Thus, the public have been urged to obey all outbreak measures.  The Movement Control Order (MCO) Operation Task Force has been given authority to enter office buildings to ensure employers comply with the work-from-home directive. Employers have been warned to monitor and ensure workers comply with the directive.

1 Classification of COVID-19 clinical stages: (1) Asymptomatic; (2) Symptomatic, no pneumonia; (3) Symptomatic, pneumonia; (4) Symptomatic, pneumonia, requiring supplemental oxygen; and (5) Critically ill with multi-organ involvement. [link]

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