M'sia reports highest-ever spike of 190 new Covid-19 cases in 1 day, most linked to mosque event

Total number of cases stands at 428.

Tanya Ong | March 15, 2020, 06:18 PM

Malaysia has a total of 190 new confirmed cases of Covid-19.

This is the largest spike in Covid-19 cases in Malaysia in a single day so far.

Traced to mosque event

As of Sunday (Mar. 15), The Star reported that the total number of confirmed cases in the country currently stands at 428.

Health Minister Adham Baba said that most of these new cases can be traced to the tabligh programme in Masjid Jamek Sri Petaling, held from Feb. 27 to Mar. 1.

It is believed that over 10,000 people attended this religious event.

Adham said that the ministry is tracing the attendees, and urges participants to contact their nearest district health office for further instructions.

They should also be monitored for 14 days from the end of the programme, or from the last date of contact they had with a Covid-19 case.

Singaporeans had attended the event

According to MUIS, the Ministry of Health (MOH) determined that “around 90” Singaporeans attended the event, and that they are likely to be regular mosque-goers.

Five Singaporean attendees of the event, including a 37-year-old GrabFood rider, also later tested positive for Covid-19.

On March 12, it was announced that all mosques in Singapore will be closed as a precautionary measure until the end of March 17, a period of five days.

Four mosques, believed to have been frequented by the attendees of the event, were closed on March 12.

MUIS also said that they are assisting MOH with contact tracing efforts.

Top photo via Mapio