BY James Kon

Two hundred and ninety-six new COVID-19 cases were reported in Brunei Darussalam on Wednesday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 148,970.

Of the latest cases, 295 were results from antigen rapid test (ART) screenings and one was the result of 162 RT-PCR laboratory tests performed in the past 24 hours.

This was said by Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar at the daily press conference on Wednesday, adding that no COVID-related deaths were reported in the last 24 hours.

The minister said, “With all vaccination centres closed on Wednesday, the latest statistics of the vaccination programme remain at 81 per cent for children aged five to 11 having received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 48.8 per cent having obtained the second dose.”

A total of 70.6 per cent of the total populace have been boosted.

No case is in Category 5 requiring intensive care treatment, while one is in Category 4 requiring respiratory assistance and under close monitoring.

A total of 210 cases recovered on Wednesday, bringing the total number of recoveries to 147,064. The Sultanate has 1,683 active cases, with five receiving treatment at hospitals and 1,678 undergoing self-isolation.

Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health Haji Maswadi bin Haji Mohsin also attended the conference.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin