MEDIA STATEMENT
ON THE CURRENT SITUATION OF COVID-19
IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
04 Safar 1443 / 11 September 2021
1. Today, Friday, 04 Safar 1443 / 11 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 1377, who was a 62-year-old man. This case suffered from a blood infection (septicaemia) and is not categorised as death due to 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. May the family of the deceased be given patience and strength in seeing his passing.
(silent pause)
5. The Ministry of Health would like to announce that today, one hundred and forty-one (141) new cases of COVID-19 have been detected in the country bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases to 4,035.
- Today, five new clusters have been detected that brings the total number of active clusters to 63 clusters. These new clusters are:
- 3095 Cluster that contains 2 new cases;
- 3016 Cluster that contains 7 new cases;
- 3723 Cluster that contains 7 new cases;
- 3715 Cluster that contains 6 new cases; and
- Lof Bakery Cluster that contains 15 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.
- There are 25 additional new cases to 8 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, 79 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. One hundred and twenty-three (123) cases have recovered today, where this total includes 20 positive cases from Category 1 that have undergone self-isolation for 14 days at their respective homes. All of them have undergone second swab tests at Day 12 and have been confirmed recovered. With that, the total number of recovered cases in Brunei Darussalam has increased to 2,541 cases, whereas the total number active cases are 1,471 cases.
7. Among the active cases, twelve cases are in critical condition, where eleven cases require assistance of artificial ventilation. Meanwhile, one case still requires the help of an additional heart/lung machine (ECMO). Meanwhile, thirty (30) cases that were categorised in Category 4 are now admitted at the Intensive Care Unit for close monitoring.
8. On this day as well, Alhamdulillah, one case has safely given birth to a baby girl via surgery. Both mother and the newborn are in good condition.
9. In the past 24 hours, a total of 2,597 samples have been tested for the SARS-CoV-2 virus which brings the total number of laboratory tests conducted since January 2020 to 271,638 tests.
10. Furthermore, as an additional measure on the control of COVID-19, the Ministry of Health has initiated the use wrist bracelet for those who have been identified positive for COVID-19 and also for contacts who have been instructed to undergo quarantine orders. The wrist bracelet will be fastened by authorities to those concerned during their visits to patients’ homes to transfer patients to isolation facilities; or at swab centres when patients or close contacts are instructed to undergo swab tests. Those who have been instructed to use the wrist bracelet are required to wear the bracelet at all times until they have completed their self-isolation period. Anyone who violates the regulation on the use of the wrist bracelet will be prosecuted under the Infectious Diseases Act (Chapter 204). For the public’s information, there are two colours of wrist bracelets used, namely red for COVID-19 patients and blue for close contacts or those who are instructed to undergo self-isolation after taking a swab test.
11. Meanwhile, patients who have been identified as recovered from the COVID-19 infection and have been allowed to leave the isolation facilities or centres are advised to immediately depart the isolation site without delay as the demand for patient beds are high. It will also allow the facilities to take other patients who need treatment and who are waiting to be taken to the hospital. The cooperation of the public on this matter is very much needed. Anyone who does not comply to the instructions given from any of the facilities can also be prosecuted under the Infectious Diseases Act (Chapter 204).
12. On this occasion, let us all pray to Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala that Brunei Darussalam is always protected and blessed, that its people and residents are always given health and well-being, safeguarded from all diseases and infections, especially the COVID-19 infection, and hopefully all COVID-19 patients are given immediate recovery. Aamiin Aamin Ya Rabbal Alamin.
13. 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.
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Reference : KK/PR/2
Date : 04 Safar 1443H / 11 September 2021