BY James Kon

The number of new COVID-19 cases surpassed the 700-mark as 751 cases were reported on Monday while over 99 per cent of the cases detected last week were with the use of antigen rapid tests (ARTs).

This was revealed by Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar at the weekly press conference for COVID-19 updates on Monday.

on Monday’s new infections were all detected using ARTs and it brought the number of active cases to 4,129.

Despite the recent spike in cases, the minister urged the public to remain calm as over 99 per cent of new infections are in Categories 1 and 2, not requiring hospital treatment, and the number of patients in Categories 4 and 5 remains low. There is one case in Category 5 needing treatment in intensive care unit and one case in Category 4 requiring respiratory assistance and under close monitoring.

Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham said two COVID-19 patients passed away in the past 24 hours but their deaths are not categorised as death due to the virus.

Meanwhile, COVID-19 vaccination coverage rate continues to increase with 72.3 per cent of Brunei’s population having received three doses and 5.2 per cent being administered the fourth shot.

Some 71.4 per cent of children aged five to 11 received two doses of the vaccine and 48.5 per cent of those aged 12 to 17 have been administered three shots.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin