Nine new cases were reported on Friday, announced the minister of health. With this new development, the total number of COVID-19 cases in Brunei increased to 15,385.
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Md Isham Hj Jaafar also revealed that out of the total number of new cases, eight are local cases and one is an import case.
“The number of new cases is the result of 3,445 laboratory tests conducted in the past 24 hours. Therefore, the rate of positive cases today is 0.3 per cent,” said the minister.
Moreover, 16 individuals have recovered from the infection, surpassing Friday’s figure for positive cases. To date, the country has recorded a total of 15,074 recoveries.
Currently, there are 211 active cases in the country.
Among these cases, only one is in critical condition, where the case requires the assistance of artificial ventilation and the help of an additional heart/lung machine (ECMO).
It was also reported that the bed occupancy rate in isolation centres nationwide is 4.7 per cent.
Meanwhile, no deaths associated with COVID-19 have been recorded in the past 24 hours.
COVID-19 vaccination status
In regards to the country’s COVID-19 vaccination status, to date, 94.3 per cent of the nation’s population has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Meanwhile, 91.6 per cent of the population already completed their second doses.
Moreover, the rate of those who have received three doses of the vaccine is 5.6 per cent.
YB Dato Dr Hj Md Isham went on to remind employees in private sector who are allowed to work but have not completed the COVID-19 vaccination, to undergo ART testing at any ART Certification Centre that is recognised by the Ministry of Health and not go to Swab Centres or to take RT-PCR tests.
“In this Endemic Phase, RT-PCR testing will only be required for confirmatory purposes if the ART test has been found to be positive or if the person is experiencing signs of infection,” said the minister.
He further continued, “Managers of private business premises are also given a stern reminder not to take advantage to instruct their employees to undergo RT-PCR testing at Swab Centres either at health centres or Drive-Thru Swab Centres.”
The health minister further emphasised that ART Test Certificates issued from ART Certification Centres are still used as official documents for verification of health status before entering business premises.
“Anyone who is required to obtain an ART Test Certificate but instead goes to a Swab Centre to obtain an RT-PCR test will not be entertained. ” he added.
Operasi Pulih violations
Meanwhile, ten violations have been detected nationwide and issued with compound fines during operations carried out by multi-enforcement agencies on Monday night from 10pm until 4am.
The health minister also shared that seven were out-of-house restrictions.
For further information and latest updates, please visit the official website of the Ministry of Health at www.moh.gov.bn or by contacting the Health Advice Line 148 or email to askhal@moh.gov.bn through the BruHealth App.
THE BRUNEIAN | BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
