Malaysia reports 190 new coronavirus cases

Monday, 16 March 2020 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysia reported 190 new cases of coronavirus on Sunday, most linked to a religious event at a mosque that was attended by more than 10,000 people from several countries.`

A customer wearing a protective mask, shops at a supermarket, following the outbreak of coronavirus, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Reuters

The new cases bring the total number of infections in the country to 428, the health ministry said in a statement.

The ministry said all event participants and their close contacts will be placed under mandatory quarantine for 14 days.

Malaysian health authorities have said around 16,000 people attended the religious gathering held at a mosque near Kuala Lumpur between Feb. 27 and March 1. Around 14,500 of the participants are Malaysian.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said on Friday that the country was facing a “second wave” of infections, and warned of an impact on economic growth.

In neighbouring Brunei, 38 of a total 40 cases had been linked to the religious gathering as of Saturday.

Singapore has also reported some cases linked to the same event.