Abstract
BackgroundCOVID-19 was first detected in Malaysia on 25 January 2020. Multiple clusters were detected in Petaling District, with the first locally transmitted case reported on 8 February. Descriptive analyses of the epidemiology of the COVID-19 outbreak in Petaling are presented, from the first case to the end of the first wave.MethodsAll laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases reported to the Petaling District Health Office between 1 February and 26 June 2020 were analysed. Socio-demographic characteristics, symptoms, date of onset, date of exposure, travel history and history of comorbidities were obtained by phone interviews using one of two investigation forms. The descriptive analysis was conducted according to time, place and person.ResultsThere were 437 COVID-19 cases, for an incidence rate of 24/100 000 population. Ten (2.3%) deaths and 427 recovered cases were recorded. Of the 437 cases, 35.5% remained asymptomatic and 64.5% were symptomatic. Common symptoms included fever (43.8%), cough (31.6%) and sore throat (16.2%); 67.3% had no comorbidities, 62.5% reported close contact with a confirmed case, and 76.7% were local infections. Transmission occurred in four main groups: religious gatherings (20.4%), corporations (15.1%), health facilities (10.3%) and a wholesale wet market (6.4%). In 31.9% of confirmed cases, an epidemiological link to an asymptomatic case was found.ConclusionTransmission of the disease by asymptomatic cases should be emphasized to ensure continuous wearing of face masks, hand hygiene and social distancing. Further research should be conducted to better understand the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from asymptomatic cases.
Highlights
COVID-19 was first detected in Malaysia on 25 January 2020
Pneumonia caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Wuhan, China was first reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) on 31 December 2019.1 As of 16 August 2020, the virus, which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), had spread globally and infected more than 21 million people, with more than 700 000 deaths.[2]
The first cases of COVID-19 in Malaysia were detected on 25 January 2020 in three travellers from China,[4] and the first case in a Malaysian citizen was confirmed as the ninth case in early February 2020.4 Localized clusters started to emerge in February, the largest cluster being linked to a religious gathering in Sri Petaling, which resulted in a major increase in the number of local cases and contributed to imported cases in neighbouring countries.[5]
Summary
As analysis of the COVID-19 cases in Petaling may provide critical information to help control the spread of similar infectious diseases at district and national levels, the objective of this paper is to describe the epidemiology of the COVID-19 epidemic in Petaling District between 1 February and 26 June 2020
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
