James Kon

Brunei Darussalam recorded no new COVID-19 cases yesterday with the total number in the country standing at 136.

Five more cases treated at the National Isolation Centre have recovered and were allowed to go home.

This brings the total number of recoveries to 104.

Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar revealed these details at a press conference yesterday.

“Alhamdulillah, with the grace of Allah the Almighty there are no new COVID-19 cases in the country today,” he said.

“Thirty one cases are receiving treatment at the National Isolation Centre where two are still in a critical condition with both needing ventilators and additional heart/lung machine (ECMO). The remaining cases are in a stable condition,” Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham said.

He said 2,317 persons have completed the quarantine in accordance with the Infectious Diseases Act, Chapter 204 with 75 individuals still under quarantine.

“Within the last 24 hours, 295 samples have been tested for SARS-CoV-2 bringing the total number of laboratory tests conducted since January 2020 to 9,637,” he said.

Despite Brunei not recording a new case, Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham said the public should continue to carry out social responsibilities by practising preventive measures.

“The public should continue to practice physical distancing and comply with the mass gathering restrictions as stipulated under the Infectious Diseases Act, Chapter 204. When participating in physical activities and sports at stadiums or recreational areas, it is important to practise physical distancing and avoid gatherings at all times,” he said.

“These measures are in place to ensure that the COVID-19 outbreak continues to be under control and to ensure the safety and well-being of the citizens and residents of the country. We want the situation to return to normal as soon as possible. However, it will be difficult to achieve this without the total cooperation from all. Our country is still under threat from the virus entering from overseas. The risk of the spread of virus is still high,” the minister said.

Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health Haji Abdul Manap bin Othman was also present at the press conference.

The public can visit the Ministry of Health official website www.moh.gov.bn or contact Health Advice Line at 148 (operating 24 hours) or through the web application healthinfo.gov.bn for information and updates. According to healthinfo.gov.bn, the breakdown of cases shows 109 in the Brunei-Muara District, 23 in the Belait District and four in the Tutong District. There are no cases in the Temburong District.