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. 2020 Aug:97:108-116.
doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.05.093. Epub 2020 Jun 2.

COVID-19 outbreak in Malaysia: Actions taken by the Malaysian government

Ain Umaira Md Shah  1 , Syafiqah Nur Azrie Safri  1 , Rathedevi Thevadas  2 , Nor Kamariah Noordin  3 , Azmawani Abd Rahman  4 , Zamberi Sekawi  5 , Aini Ideris  6 , Mohamed Thariq Hameed Sultan  7
Affiliations

COVID-19 outbreak in Malaysia: Actions taken by the Malaysian government

Ain Umaira Md Shah et al. Int J Infect Dis. 2020 Aug.

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a novel pneumonia disease originating in Wuhan, was confirmed by the World Health Organization on January 12, 2020 before becoming an outbreak in all countries.

Outbreak situation: A stringent screening process at all airports in Malaysia was enforced after the first case outside China was reported in Thailand. Up to April 14, 2020, Malaysia had reported two waves of COVID-19 cases, with the first wave ending successfully within less than 2 months. In early March 2020, the second wave occurred, with worrying situations.

Actions taken: The Government of Malaysia enforced a Movement Control Order starting on March 18, 2020 to break the chain of COVID-19. The media actively spread the hashtag #stayhome. Non-governmental organizations, as well as prison inmates, started to produce personal protective equipment for frontliners. Various organizations hosted fundraising events to provide essentials mainly to hospitals. A provisional hospital was set up and collaborations with healthcare service providers were granted, while additional laboratories were assigned to enhance the capabilities of the Ministry of Health.

Economic downturn: An initial financial stimulus amounting to RM 20.0 billion was released in February 2020, before the highlighted PRIHATIN Package, amounting to RM 250 billion, was announced. The PRIHATIN Package has provided governmental support to society, covering people of various backgrounds from students and families to business owners.

Keywords: COVID-19; Coronavirus; Pandemic; Pneumonia; Respiratory.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which has caused coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) (Powell, 2020).
Figure 2
Figure 2
The numbers of active and closed COVID-19 cases around the world, as at April 11, 2020 (Worldometer, 2020).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Total new cases, recovered cases, and deaths reported daily from March 10 to March 31, 2020 (Abdullah, 2020i).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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