Malaysia confirms 77 Coronavirus cases from mosque event

Malaysia's health authorities said 77 cases of the coronavirus in the country were from attendees of a recent mass gathering of the Tabligh missionary group at a mosque in Kuala Lumpur.

The 77 cases confirmed by tests are spread over 12 of the 13 Malaysian states, and the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, and in Labuan, a statement from the country's Health Ministry said yesterday. Only Terengganu state has been spared so far.

Malaysia, meanwhile, has banned mass gatherings until May at the earliest. Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said last Friday that the coronavirus epidemic had taken hold in the country for the foreseeable future as a second wave of infections spread.

Malaysia's confirmed cases totalled 238 yesterday, including 41 new cases. The 41 cases - the biggest single-day jump in Malaysia - included 37 from the mosque cluster. The ministry figures showed that of those infected from the Islamic meeting, Sabah has 26 cases, followed by 11 in Negeri Sembilan and six in Sarawak.

The other states and Federal Territories, except for Terengganu, has between one and five cases each.

Dhaka/Mukul