MEDIA STATEMENT
ON THE CURRENT SITUATION OF COVID-19
IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
09 Muharram 1443 / 18 August 2021
1. The Ministry of Health would like to announce that today, Wednesday, 08 Muharram 1443 / 18 August 2021, ninety-four (94) new cases of COVID-19 have been detected in the country bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases to 946.
- Additional cases to currently active clusters are as follows:
- 22 cases for Champion 7 and Related Vessels Cluster;
- 16 cases for the Chung Hua KB Cluster;
- 8 cases for BSP HQ Cluster (Block M);
- 6 cases for Dragonboat Cluster;
- 2 cases for ABCi Cluster;
- 2 cases for Aker Cluster;
- 2 cases for IBTE KB Cluster;
- 1 case for 477 Cluster;
- 1 case for Immigration Cluster; and
- 1 case for Starlodge Cluster.
- Meanwhile, 1 new cluster have been identified:
- 3 new cases today are related to Case 674 that was reported on 15 August 2021. This cluster is now known as the Lorong Tengah Cluster.
- Meanwhile, there are 30 cases where the source of infection is still being determined.
- The cases in the active clusters are individuals who are currently being quarantined and were found to be in contact with several confirmed cases.
- Contact tracing for all these new cases is currently undergoing. All identified close contacts are required to undergo mandatory quarantine and RT-PCR SARS-CoV-2 test.
2. Meanwhile, five (5) cases who are treated at the National Isolation Centre have recovered today bringing the total of recovered cases to remain at 338 cases. This means, a total of 605 active cases have been recorded in Brunei Darussalam.
3. Among the active cases, three cases are in critical condition requiring respiratory assistance while ten other cases are under close monitoring at the National Isolation Centre. Of these 13 cases, only one had received a complete COVID-19 vaccine injection.
4. In the past 24 hours, a total of 2,748 samples have been tested for the SARS-CoV-2 virus which brings the total number of laboratory tests conducted since January 2020 to 182,168 tests.
5. The Ministry of Health is pleased to inform that to increase the testing capacity of the SARS-CoV-2 laboratory, the Government in collaboration with the Beijing Genomic Institution (BGI) has acquired an additional virology laboratory named Brunei COVID-19 AirLab. This lab is a portable mobile laboratory that has a biosafety Level 2. It is currently placed at Bridex Jerudong and InshaaAllah will start operating on Thursday, 19 August 2021. This new laboratory InshaaAllah will be able to accommodate up to 5000 tests in a day.
6. Meanwhile, to increase the capacity of vaccinating the public, another Vaccination Center has been opened. The Jubli Emas Vaccination Centre, Bunut has started operations on Tuesday, 17 August 2021. The centre is operating every Monday to Thursday and Saturday from 8 am to 2 pm. This Vaccination Centre will only cater to individuals who already reserved a vaccination slot. In this regard, anyone who has reserved a vaccination slot at the Jubli Emas Vaccination Centre, Bunut is requested to check their respective BruHealth App to confirm the date and time of the booking. This is due to several appointments that have been amended to take into account the capacity of the vaccination centre.
7. On this occasion, let us all pray to ask for forgiveness from Allah Subhanahu Wa’Taala so that Brunei Darussalam will always be protected from all unwanted situations. Verily, there is no might and no power except with Allah. Aamin Aamin Ya Rabbal ‘Alamin.
8. For further information and latest updates, please visit the official website of the Ministry of Health at www.moh.gov.bn or by contacting the Health Advice Line 148 or through the BruHealth App.
9. Now, we will watch a video clip on the Brunei COVID-19 AirLab.
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Reference : KK/PR/2
Date : 09 Muharram 1443H / 18 August 2021