MEDIA STATEMENT
ON THE CURRENT SITUATION OF COVID-19
IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
14 Safar 1443 / 21 September 2021
1. Today, Tuesday, 14 Safar 1443 / 21 September 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 case was Case 4204, who was a 55-year-old woman who suffered a 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 case’s personal details. 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 case’s family and pray the case’s soul will receive blessings from Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala and is placed among the pious. Al-Fatihah.
(Al-Fatihah)
5. The Ministry of Health would like to further announce to the public that today, one hundred and twenty-four (124) new cases of COVID-19 have been detected in the country bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases to 5,385.
- Today, there are 56 additional new cases to 11 of the existing active clusters. 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, two new clusters have been detected. These new clusters are:
- FOS THOR Vessel Cluster that contains 11 new cases; and
- 5289 Cluster that contains 7 new cases.
All these new clusters include cases that have been previously reported as cases for which the source of infection has not been identified.
- One cluster has been closed following no new detected cases in the cluster for 28 days. The closed cluster is 418 Cluster. Therefore, the current total active clusters are 96 clusters.
- Meanwhile, 2 import cases have been reported today. Both arrived in Brunei Darussalam from Manila. The first case arrived on 08 September 2021 whereas the second case arrived on 15 September 2021.
- At this time, 48 cases are still being investigated to determine the source of the infection.
6. One hundred and two (102) cases have recovered today bringing the total number of recovered cases in Brunei Darussalam to 3,677 cases, whereas the total number active cases are 1,673 cases.
7. Among the active cases, eight cases are in critical condition, where seven of the cases require assistance of artificial ventilation. Meanwhile, one case requires the help of an additional heart/lung machine (ECMO). Meanwhile, twenty-five (25) cases that were categorised in Category 4 are now admitted at the Intensive Care Unit for close monitoring.
8. In the past 24 hours, a total of 5,031 samples have been tested for the SARS-CoV-2 virus which brings the total number of laboratory tests conducted since January 2020 to 312,046 tests.
9. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health would like to inform the public that the rescheduling process for the vaccination slots for those who were affected by the postponement of the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine administration is still being actively implemented in stages with changes such as shifting vaccination locations to other vaccination centres. In this regard, six hundred and fifty (650) bookings that were rescheduled had failed to attend yesterday to the Indoor Stadium Vaccination Centre. The public is once again advised to check the status of their vaccination appointment via the BruHealth app or short messaging services (SMS) from time to time to ensure of the date of appointment slot and location of their vaccination centre. Those who are unable to attend on the date of the booking due to undergoing quarantine or have made other bookings are advised to cancel the booking to give the opportunity to others who can take advantage of the slots. The public is also advised to update their personal information including telephone numbers in the BruHIMS system to ensure that messages related to the bookings can be received.
10. Meanwhile, the public is reminded to comply with all the instructions that has been issued to control the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak. As stated in the Ministry of Health’s Press Conference on 09 August 2021 any mass gathering is prohibited. However, exceptions are allowed for non-COVID-19 funeral management of only 15 funeral arrangers; and 10 attendees for marriage ceremony. At the same time, any physical tahlil ceremony, attending marriage ceremony in rotation or using several separate venues are prohibited. These are among the measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak among those attending the events. Anyone who is aware of any of these violations can report to the Police with clear evidence. Anyone who violates these instructions can be prosecuted under the Infectious Diseases Act Chapter 204.
11. At this opportunity, the Ministry of Health would also like commemorate World Alzheimer’s Month that is commemorated every September and World Alzheimer’s Day that falls on today, 21st September. This year’s theme is ‘Know Dementia, Know Alzheimer’s’, with a focus on increasing the power of knowledge, specifically on the warning signs of dementia and the importance of a timely diagnosis. The public is encouraged to seek information, advice and support on dementia, and obtaining an early diagnosis, in order to be able to prepare, plan and adapt to dementia.
12. 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, Talian Darussalam 123, Brunei Red Crescent (BRC) Helpdesk Line or email to: askhal@moh.gov.bn.
– END –
Reference : KK/PR/2
Date : 14 Safar 1443H / 21 September 2021