COVID-19 pandemic in Brunei

The COVID-19 pandemic in Brunei is part of the worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The virus spread to Brunei on 9 March 2020, when its first case was confirmed in Tutong[note 1].[1] Many early cases were linked to Jamek Mosque Sri Petaling in Kuala Lumpur, which held a large Tablighi Jamaat ijtema event[3] at the end of February 2020. Of Brunei's first 50 cases, 45 were related to Jamek Mosque.[4] The pandemic had spread to all districts of Brunei, except in the exclave of Temburong.

COVID-19 pandemic in Brunei
Map of districts in Brunei with confirmed COVID-19 cases:   no confirmed cases   1–9 confirmed   10–99 confirmed   100–499 confirmed
Disease	COVID-19
Virus strain	SARS-CoV-2
Location	Brunei
First outbreak	Wuhan, Hubei, China
Index case	Tutong[note 1]
Arrival date	9 March 2020 (5 months and 7 days)
Confirmed cases	141[2]
Recovered	138[2]
Deaths	3[2]
Government website
www.healthinfo.gov.bn/covid19

Background

On 12 January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that a novel coronavirus was the cause of a respiratory illness in a cluster of people in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, which was reported to the WHO on 31 December 2019.[5][6] The case fatality ratio for COVID-19 has been much lower than SARS of 2003,[7][8] but the transmission has been significantly greater, with a significant total death toll.[9][7]

Timeline

COVID-19 cases in Brunei  ()      Deaths        Recoveries        Active cases Mar Mar Apr Apr May May Jun Jun Jul Jul Last 15 days Last 15 days
Date			# of cases
2020-03-09		​	1(n.a.)
2020-03-10		​	1(=)
2020-03-11		​	11(+10)
2020-03-12		​	25(+14)
2020-03-13		​	37(+12)
2020-03-14		​	40(+3)
2020-03-15		​	50(+10)
2020-03-16		​	54(+4)
2020-03-17		​	56(+2)
2020-03-18		​	68(+12)
2020-03-19		​	73(+5)
2020-03-20		​ ​	78(+5)
2020-03-21		​ ​	83(+5)
2020-03-22		​ ​	88(+5)
2020-03-23		​ ​	91(+3)
2020-03-24		​ ​	104(+13)
2020-03-25		​ ​	109(+5)
2020-03-26		​ ​	114(+5)
2020-03-27		​ ​	115(+1)
2020-03-28		​ ​ ​	120(+5)
2020-03-29		​ ​ ​	126(+6)
2020-03-30		​ ​ ​	127(+1)
2020-03-31		​ ​ ​	129(+2)
2020-04-01		​ ​ ​	131(+2)
2020-04-02		​ ​ ​	133(+2)
2020-04-03		​ ​ ​	134(+1)
2020-04-04		​ ​ ​	135(+1)
2020-04-05		​ ​ ​	135(=)
2020-04-06		​ ​ ​	135(=)
2020-04-07		​ ​ ​	135(=)
2020-04-08		​ ​ ​	135(=)
2020-04-09		​ ​ ​	135(=)
2020-04-10		​ ​ ​	136(+1)
2020-04-11		​ ​ ​	136(=)
2020-04-12		​ ​ ​	136(=)
2020-04-13		​ ​ ​	136(=)
2020-04-14		​ ​ ​	136(=)
2020-04-15		​ ​ ​	136(=)
2020-04-16		​ ​ ​	136(=)
2020-04-17		​ ​ ​	136(=)
2020-04-18		​ ​ ​	137(+1)
2020-04-19		​ ​ ​	138(+1)
2020-04-20		​ ​ ​	138(=)
2020-04-21		​ ​ ​	138(=)
2020-04-22		​ ​ ​	138(=)
2020-04-23		​ ​ ​	138(=)
2020-04-24		​ ​ ​	138(=)
2020-04-25		​ ​ ​	138(=)
2020-04-26		​ ​ ​	138(=)
2020-04-27		​ ​ ​	138(=)
⋮		​ ​ ​	138(=)
2020-05-01		​ ​ ​	138(=)
2020-05-02		​ ​ ​	138(=)
2020-05-03		​ ​ ​	138(=)
2020-05-04		​ ​ ​	138(=)
2020-05-05		​ ​ ​	138(=)
2020-05-06		​ ​ ​	139(+1)
2020-05-07		​ ​ ​	141(+2)
2020-05-08		​ ​ ​	141(=)
2020-05-09		​ ​ ​	141(=)
2020-05-10		​ ​ ​	141(=)
2020-05-11		​ ​ ​	141(=)
2020-05-12		​ ​ ​	141(=)
2020-05-13		​ ​ ​	141(=)
2020-05-14		​ ​ ​	141(=)
2020-05-15		​ ​ ​	141(=)
2020-05-16		​ ​ ​	141(=)
2020-05-17		​ ​ ​	141(=)
2020-05-18		​ ​ ​	141(=)
2020-05-19		​ ​ ​	141(=)
2020-05-20		​ ​ ​	141(=)
2020-05-21		​ ​ ​	141(=)
2020-05-22		​ ​ ​	141(=)
2020-05-23		​ ​ ​	141(=)
2020-05-24		​ ​ ​	141(=)
2020-05-25		​ ​ ​	141(=)
2020-05-26		​ ​ ​	141(=)
2020-05-27		​ ​ ​	141(=)
2020-05-28		​ ​ ​	141(=)
2020-05-29		​ ​ ​	141(=)
2020-05-30		​ ​ ​	141(=)
2020-05-31		​ ​ ​	141(=)
2020-06-01		​ ​ ​	141(=)
2020-06-02		​ ​ ​	141(=)
2020-06-03		​ ​ ​	141(=)
2020-06-04		​ ​ ​	141(=)
2020-06-05		​ ​ ​	141(=)
2020-06-06		​ ​ ​	141(=)
2020-06-07		​ ​ ​	141(=)
2020-06-08		​ ​ ​	141(=)
2020-06-09		​ ​ ​	141(=)
2020-06-10		​ ​ ​	141(=)
2020-06-11		​ ​ ​	141(=)
2020-06-12		​ ​ ​	141(=)
2020-06-13		​ ​ ​	141(=)
2020-06-14		​ ​ ​	141(=)
2020-06-15		​ ​ ​	141(=)
2020-06-16		​ ​	141(=)
2020-06-17		​ ​	141(=)
2020-06-18		​ ​	141(=)
2020-06-19		​ ​	141(=)
2020-06-20		​ ​	141(=)
2020-06-21		​ ​	141(=)
2020-06-22		​ ​	141(=)
2020-06-23		​ ​	141(=)
2020-06-24		​ ​	141(=)
2020-06-25		​ ​	141(=)
2020-06-26		​ ​	141(=)
2020-06-27		​ ​	141(=)
2020-06-28		​ ​	141(=)
2020-06-29		​ ​	141(=)
2020-06-30		​ ​	141(=)
2020-07-01		​ ​	141(=)
2020-07-02		​ ​	141(=)
2020-07-03		​ ​	141(=)
2020-07-04		​ ​	141(=)
2020-07-05		​ ​	141(=)
2020-07-06		​ ​	141(=)
Based on confirmed cases reported daily by the Ministry of Health.[10]

On 9 March 2020, the Ministry of Health confirmed that preliminary coronavirus tests had returned positive for a 53-year-old male who had returned from a tabligh (Muslim religious gathering) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 3 March.[1][11] The patient began to experience symptoms on 7 March, and was eventually moved to the National Isolation Centre in Tutong for treatment. The ministry is following up with the three friends he had travelled with, and with the patient's family members.[1]

On 10 March, the Health Ministry reported five more cases of the coronavirus, bringing the total to six. These five individuals were close contacts of the first case and were isolated for treatment at the National Isolation Centre in Tutong.[12][13][11]

On 11 March, the Health Ministry reported five new cases, bringing the total number to 11. Three of these individuals had attended the tabligh in Kuala Lumpur on 3 March.[14]

On 12 March, the Health Ministry confirmed 14 new cases, bringing the total number to 25. Ten of these cases were linked to the same Islamic missionary gathering in Kuala Lumpur that the first confirmed patient had attended. Three of the cases were close contacts of the confirmed patients while the last case was a 64-year-old man who had been to Kuala Lumpur and Cambodia.[15]

On 14 March, the Health Ministry reported that Brunei had a total of 40 cases of the coronavirus.[16]

On 15 March, Brunei confirmed 10 new cases, bringing the total number to 50.[17][18]

On 22 March, Brunei confirmed 88 cases.[19]

On 23 March, Brunei confirmed 3 new cases, bringing the total number to 91.[20]

On 24 March, the Health Ministry confirmed 13 new cases, the highest since the first case on 9 March, bringing the total number to 104.[19]

On 25 March, Brunei confirmed 109 cases.[21]

On 26 March, Brunei confirmed 114 cases, with 5 recoveries to-date.[22]

On 27 March, Brunei confirmed 115 cases, with 11 recoveries to-date. In the evening, the first case of death occurs.[23]

On 5 May, one new COVID-19 case has been confirmed, bringing the total active case to 139. On the next day, 2 related cases were detected involving the case detected on the previous day.[24][25]

On 2 June, most schools partially reopened and the majority of classes resumed as normal.[26][27]

Distribution

Distribution of cumulative confirmed cases in Brunei (as of 17 May 2020)

Districts		Confirmed	Active	Recovered	Deceased
1	Brunei-Muara	110	2	107	1
2	Belait	25	2	23	0
3	Tutong	6	0	6	0
4	Temburong	0	0	0	0
Total		141	4	136	1

Reactions

In late January, Brunei announced entry restrictions for people coming from China.[28] Starting February 1, temperature screening was implemented on entry to the country. Royal Brunei Airlines reduced flights to China.[29]In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Ministry of Education announced that the first school term break scheduled for 16 March 2020 would be moved forward to 11 March.[12]

On 14 March, the Brunei Ministry of Health ordered 638 people to go into quarantine. The Ministry has also stepped up efforts to track more close contacts of positive cases.[16]

On 15 March, the Bruneian Government barred all citizens and foreign residents from leaving as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The Ministry of Health has also banned mass gatherings including weddings and sporting events. In addition the National Football Association of Brunei Darussalam, the Tutong District Amateur Football Association League, and the Brunei Basketball Association suspended all matches and games.[17][18]

On 16 March, the Ministry of Religious Affairs announced a one-week closure for all mosques in the country, from 17 March until 23 March, and the Friday prayers which coincided with this time were suspended.[19][30] However, the adhan or Islamic prayer calls would still be conducted.[19] The Bruneian Government also announced that the Temburong Bridge would be opened on the following day, earlier than scheduled, to ease travelling to the Temburong District exclave after the government announced outbound travel ban.[19][31] Previously, commuters have to drive through the Malaysian Limbang District or take passenger ferry services. At initial opening, the bridge was opened from 6 am to 10 pm and traffic is only allowed for Brunei-registered vehicles.[32] However, on the first day of opening, citizens were seen flocking to Temburong, taking advantage of the bridge for pleasure purposes. The government then changed the opening time of the bridge to 6 am to 6 pm.

Notes

1. The first case was initially treated at the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital in Bandar Seri Begawan before being moved to the National Isolation Centre in Tutong where he was when the case was first announced.[1]

References

1. "Latest news – Detection of the First Case of COVID-19 Infection". Brunei Ministry of Health.
2. "COVID-19". healthinfo.gov.bn.
3. Arumugam, Tharanya (11 March 2020). "Attended a tabligh event at Masjid Sri Petaling? Go get tested for Covid-19". New Straits Times. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
4. Barker, Anne (19 March 2020). "Wonder how dangerous a gathering can be? Here's how one event sparked hundreds of coronavirus cases across Asia". ABC News. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
5. Elsevier. "Novel Coronavirus Information Center". Elsevier Connect. Archived from the original on 30 January 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
6. Reynolds, Matt (4 March 2020). "What is coronavirus and how close is it to becoming a pandemic?". Wired UK. ISSN 1357-0978. Archived from the original on 5 March 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
7. "Crunching the numbers for coronavirus". Imperial News. Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
8. "High consequence infectious diseases (HCID); Guidance and information about high consequence infectious diseases and their management in England". GOV.UK. Archived from the original on 3 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
9. "World Federation Of Societies of Anaesthesiologists – Coronavirus". www.wfsahq.org. Archived from the original on 12 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
10. Ministry of Health (Brunei) data, updated daily: Ministry of Health - COVID-19
11. "Brunei reports more coronavirus cases". The Star. 10 March 2020. Archived from the original on 12 March 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
12. "Coronavirus: Brunei reports 5 more cases, bringing total to six". The Straits Times. 11 March 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
13. "Brunei Reports First Coronavirus Cases". New York Times. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
14. Bandial, Ain (12 March 2020). "Coronavirus fear grips Brunei, as number of cases rise to 11 within days". The Scoop. Archived from the original on 14 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
15. "Brunei reports 14 new cases of Covid-19, 25 cases now". The Star. 13 March 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
16. "Coronavirus: Brunei reports three new cases, all linked to religious gathering in Malaysia". The Straits Times. 14 March 2020. Archived from the original on 17 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
17. "Brunei bars residents from leaving as coronavirus cases reach 50 (update)". The Star. 17 March 2020. Archived from the original on 17 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
18. "Surge in Malaysia, Brunei coronavirus cases linked to religious event". Arab News. 17 March 2020. Archived from the original on 17 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
19. "COVID-19 live updates: Brunei records first death linked to the virus". The Scoop. 13 March 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
20. "Covid-19: Brunei records three new positive cases today, total 91". Borneo Post Online. 23 March 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
21. Staff writer(s); no by-line. (25 March 2020). "Five more COVID-19 cases confirmed, taking tally to 109". The Scoop. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
22. Staff writer(s); no by-line. (26 March 2020). "COVID-19 tally rises to 114, three patients make full recovery". The Scoop. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
23. Staff writer(s); no by-line. (27 March 2020). "One new case confirmed, another 6 patients recover". The Scoop. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
24. "Latest news - There is one new case of COVID-19 Case Reported..." www.moh.gov.bn. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
25. "Brunei reports 1 new Covid-19 case after 16-day record | The Star". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
26. "Brunei to partially reopen schools on June 2 as coronavirus concerns ease". The Scoop. 21 May 2020. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
27. "Brunei schools to reopen on June 2 | The Star". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
28. "Coronavirus: Brunei limits entry for China visitors – The Bruneian". Retrieved 19 March 2020.
29. "Wuhan coronavirus: Brunei starts health screening at all entry points". The Scoop. 1 February 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
30. "All Mosques, Suraus And Religious Halls In The Country Will Be Temporarily Closed For A Week-Period | Brunei's No.1 News Website". www.brudirect.com. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
31. "Temburong Bridge To Open To Public On 17 March | Brunei's No.1 News Website". www.brudirect.com. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
32. "Temburong bridge opens to traffic today". The Scoop. 16 March 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020.

External links

• Latest Updates on the Coronavirus cases in Brunei – Ministry of Health of Brunei
• CoronaTracker – Statistics on the coronavirus cases in Brunei
• Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases and historical data by Johns Hopkins University