COVID-19 epidemic in Malaysia: Impact of lock-down on infection dynamics

Naomie Salim; Weng Howe Chan; Shuhaimi Mansor; Nor Erne Nazira Bazin; Safiya Amaran; Ahmad Athif Mohd Faudzi; Anazida Zainal; Sharin Hazlin Huspi; Eric Jiun Hooi Khoo; Shaekh Mohammad Shithil

Globally, the epidemic curve in each country varies from exponential, uncontrolled outbreak (Italy) to slow rising, adequately controlled (Singapore) [1] . Malaysia somehow lies in the middle [1] . As of April 5, 2020, there are 3,662 cases and 61 deaths in Malaysia [7] . Malaysian government are taking prompt public health actions to prevent an exponential rise of cases by continuously screen and test high risk individuals, isolate patients and trace and quarantine the contacts to prevent secondary spread [8] . These actions seemed to be adequate until a large cluster of cases occurred following a large Tabligh gathering involving more than 10,000 members in late February [9] . The event has changed the direction of the epidemic curve in Malaysia [10] .