MEDIA STATEMENT
ON THE CURRENT SITUATION OF COVID-19
IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
16 Muharram 1443 / 25 August 2021
1. Today, Monday 16 Muharram 1443 / 25 August 2021, by the will of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala and with a heavy heart, the Ministry of Health would like to inform the public that one COVID-19 confirmed case has returned to the grace and mercy of Allah.
2. The late patient was Case 656, who was a 55 year old male that was reported on 15 August 2021. This case suffered from lung infection after being infected with COVID-19.
3. In light of this, in order to protect and respect the privacy as well as confidentiality of the case’s family, the Ministry of Health will not share the personal details of the deceased. Members of the public are also requested to respect and not disseminate information relating to the case.
4. In this opportunity, myself representing the Ministry of Health as well as the people of Brunei Darussalam, would like to express our deepest condolences to the late patient’s family. May the family of the deceased be given patience and strength in seeing his passing.
(silent pause)
5. Next, the Ministry of Health would like to announce that today, one hundred and seventy-six (176) new cases of COVID-19 have been detected in the country bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases to 2,159.
- Currently, there are still 40 active clusters, and no other new clusters reported today.
- There are 88 additional new cases to 18 of the existing active clusters that brings the total number of cases in all the active clusters to 1389 cases. The cases in these active clusters are individuals who are currently being quarantined and were found to be in contact with several confirmed cases.
- Meanwhile, the remaining cases are still being investigated to determine the source of the infection.
- 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.
6. Meanwhile, sixty-nine (69) cases have recovered today bringing the total of recovered cases to 537 cases. This means, a total of 1,614 active cases have been recorded in Brunei Darussalam.
7. Among the active cases, five cases are in critical condition, where four cases require ventilators and one case requires the help of an additional heart/lung machine (ECMO). Meanwhile, thirty (30) cases have been admitted at the Intensive Care Unit for close monitoring.
8. In the past 24 hours, a total of 3,684 samples have been tested for the SARS-CoV-2 virus which brings the total number of laboratory tests conducted since January 2020 to 212,956 tests.
9. Meanwhile, there are also some cases who have been allowed to return home after undergoing monitoring and treatment at designated isolation centres. Some of them still have positive swab test results and this has caused concern among the public. The Ministry of Health would like to reassure the public that although some of them still have positive swab test results, they have been confirmed recovered. Their swab test results show that they can no longer infect others. However, they are required to continue to undergo quarantine for a period of 14 days upon returning home.
10. At this opportunity, the Ministry of Health would like to express its deepest gratitude to all parties involved in implementing measures to control the spread of COVID-19 in the country, especially the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Royal Brunei Police Force, Fire and Rescue Department, National Disaster Management Centre, other relevant departments and agencies, as well as all volunteers that have given their all and worked hard together to protect the citizen and residents in this country. Let us stand together for the sake of the country that we love, and Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’aala alone can reward all your deeds.
11. For further information and latest updates, please visit the official website of the Ministry of Health at www.moh.gov.bn or through the BruHealth App. Any inquiries on COVID-19 can also be directed to the Health Advice Line 148 or emailed to: askhal@moh.gov.bn.
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Reference : KK/PR/2
Date : 16 Muharram 1443H / 25 August 2021