MEDIA STATEMENT
ON THE CURRENT SITUATION OF COVID-19
IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
19 Rabiulakhir 1443 / 24 November 2021
1. Today, Wednesday, 19 Rabiulakhir 1443 / 24 November 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 a 64-year-old man, who suffered several health problems and is not categorised as death due to COVID-19.
3. 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 and is placed among the pious. Al-Fatihah..
(recital of surah Al-Fatihah)
4. A total of seventy (70) new cases of COVID-19 infections have been confirmed today bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases to 14,771.
- There are 18 additional new cases to 7 of the existing active clusters who were previously close contacts with several positive cases.
- Meanwhile, three new clusters have been detected that involved 26 cases. One of the new clusters is an accommodation cluster; another one is a housing cluster that accommodates the employees of a company namely Borneo Air Conditioning & Engineering staff house Cluster; while Pasar Pantai Jerudong Cluster is public place cluster.
- As currently shown on the screen, six clusters have been closed following no new detected cases in the clusters for 28 days. Therefore, the current total active clusters are 142 clusters.
(Screen: 4524 Cluster, 7618 Cluster, 8308 Cluster, 9076 Cluster, 12021 Cluster and 12057 Cluster).
- Meanwhile, 26 new cases are still being investigated to determine the source of the infection.
5. Forty-eight (48) cases have recovered today bringing the total number of recovered cases in Brunei Darussalam to 14,210 cases, whereas the total number active cases are 462 cases.
6. Among the cases being treated at this time, four cases (04) are in Category 5 and currently treated at the Intensive Care Unit. All of them require assistance of artificial ventilation. Meanwhile, one (1) other case is categorised in Category 4 that require oxygen assistance and are under close monitoring.
7. In the past 24 hours, a total of 3,872 samples have been tested for the SARS-CoV-2 virus which brings the total number of laboratory tests conducted since January 2020 to 596,498 tests.
8. On 23 November 2021, a total of 4,047 individuals have received the COVID-19 vaccine injection. This means that, under the National Vaccination Programme, a total of 401,611 individuals have received the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine which is 93.4% from the total population. Meanwhile, 336,671 individuals have completed the second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine which is 78.3% from the total population.
9. With the vaccination success rate that has been achieved so far, Alhamdulillah, we have almost reached the target of 80% of the two-dose vaccination rate among the population in this country and will move into the Endemic Phase soon. Currently, the Ministry of Health is actively monitoring and examining the situation of the COVID-19 infection in Brunei Darussalam as well as current developments abroad. As we all know, the Endemic Phase is scheduled to commence when the rate of the two-dose vaccination reaches 80%. The very encouraging response from the public has brought the country to a level close to 80% earlier than had been expected. Given that the Transition Phase has been implemented less than a week ago, the COVID-19 Steering Committee needs more time to consider the implementation of the Endemic Phase. In this regard, the public is advised to wait for the announcement of the start of the implementation of the Endemic Phase. Meanwhile, the public is urged to continue to come forward to complete two doses of the vaccination in order to protect themselves and their families from the COVID-19 infection.
10. For ‘Operasi Peralihan’ that was carried out recently from 10 PM until 4 AM, a total of 1 violation of the directive nationwide was issued with a compound fine, where the offense is a violation of the directive to stay at home.
11. Protecting oneself by taking the vaccine is the most effective way in curbing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to adopting other preventive measures such as wearing a face mask, maintaining personal hygiene, practicing proper sneezing and coughing etiquette, and practicing social distancing by staying at home. Let’s do our respective roles and pray as well as trust in Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala. May the citizens and residents of Brunei Darussalam will continue to be given blessings and well-being, as well as protected from the harms of the COVID-19 pandemic. Aamiin…Aamiin Ya Rabbal Alamin. Thank you.
– END –
Reference : KK/PR/2
Date : 19 Rabiulakhir 1443H / 24 November 2021