MEDIA STATEMENT
ON THE CURRENT SITUATION OF COVID-19
IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
13 Safar 1443 / 20 September 2021
1. Today, Saturday, 13 Safar 1443 / 20 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 two COVID-19 confirmed cases have returned to the grace and mercy of Allah.
2. The first case was Case 1752, who was a 67-year-old man and the second case was Case 5196, who was a 59-year-old man. Both cases suffered a lung infections 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 cases’ family, the Ministry of Health will not share the cases’ personal details. Members of the public are also requested to respect and not disseminate information relating to the cases.
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 cases’ family and pray their souls will receive blessings from Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala and are placed among the pious. Al-Fatihah.
(Al-Fatihah)
5. Meanwhile, the investigation into the cause of death of the two cases that had previously returned to the grace of Allah has been completed. The cause of death for Case 3148 who passed away on 2 September 2021 was confirmed to be categorised as death due to COVID-19 while Case 3264 who passed away on 4 September 2021 was confirmed not to be categorised as death due to COVID-19.
6. The Ministry of Health would like to further announce that today, two hundred and fourteen (214) new cases of COVID-19 have been detected in the country bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases to 5,261.
- Today, there are 44 additional new cases to 13 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, seven new clusters have been detected. These new clusters are:
- 3440 Cluster that contains 4 new cases;
- 4323 Cluster that contains 3 new cases;
- 4944 Cluster that contains 15 new cases;
- 4868 Cluster that contains 10 new cases;
- 4917 Cluster that contains 12 new cases; and
- Hua Ho Manggis Mall Cluster that contains 12 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.
- Meanwhile, one new cluster namely Rimba Kompleks Cluster that contains 7 new cases is the result of the mass swabbing operation that was conducted on Saturday, 18 September 2021. Further investigation and follow-up actions such as quarantine for the close contacts are underway for this cluster.
- Two clusters have been closed following no new detected cases in the clusters for 28 days. The closed cluster are 362 Cluster and 1257 Cluster. Therefore, the current total active clusters are 95 clusters.
- Meanwhile, 1 import case has been reported today that arrived to Brunei Darussalam from Singapore on 14 September 2021 on board flight Royal Brunei BI 422.
- At this time, 106 cases are still being investigated to determine the source of the infection.
7. One hundred and eighteen (118) cases have recovered today bringing the total number of recovered cases in Brunei Darussalam to 3,575 cases, whereas the total number active cases are 1,652 cases.
8. 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-two (22) cases that were categorised in Category 4 are now admitted at the Intensive Care Unit for close monitoring.
9. In the past 24 hours, a total of 3,724 samples have been tested for the SARS-CoV-2 virus which brings the total number of laboratory tests conducted since January 2020 to 307,015 tests.
10. As stated in the recent Ministry of Health’s Press Conference, the cooperation given by the positive cases and those undergoing quarantine orders is greatly appreciated in providing support to the Government’s efforts in controlling the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak. Majority of the cases were found to comply with the instruction to be isolated at the designated isolation centres as well as their respective homes. In this regard, the Ministry of Health would like to once again remind to those who are currently in isolation at the isolation centres to comply to all the instructions and regulations at the isolation centres including the isolation procedures as well as to respect the rules related to the arrangement and use of government property including furniture provided at the centres. These rules are put in place to ensure that monitoring and treatment operations can be carried out properly, as well as to ensure the comfort and privacy of patients while in isolation. Meanwhile, for those who are allowed to undergo isolation at home, your cooperation is equally requested to respect staff who make food deliveries at to your homes. Kindly appreciate their hard work to help the citizens and residents of Brunei Darussalam in facing the current COVID-19 outbreak.
11. In the face of the increase in number of cases today and the increase in existing clusters as well as to assist the Government’s efforts to reduce the rate of infection, the Ministry of Health would like to remind the public to once again to not leave the house without any important purpose. The public is advised to only leave the house if it necessary; avoid going to crowded places; and not allowed to visit relatives and friends. Although the COVID-19 vaccine has been shown to be effective in preventing infections, however breakthrough infections can still occur. Therefore, preventive measures need to be continued and everyone still needs to exercise their social responsibilities, especially to protect those at high risk, the elderly and children who have not yet been able to receive the COVID-19 vaccine injections.
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.
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Reference : KK/PR/2
Date : 13 Safar 1443H / 20 September 2021