CORONAVIRUS | The Health Ministry has confirmed that Malaysia has treated the 15th person infected with the novel coronavirus.

At a press conference in Putrajaya today, Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the patient is a Chinese national who entered Johor through Singapore.

The patient is currently warded at Permai Hospital, Johor Bahru and is kept in isolation with her husband.

Currently, the 15 cases of confirmed coronavirus infections involved six which contracted the disease through close contact, two cases involved Malaysians who were brought back from China during the evacuation mission on Tuesday and seven cases involved those who were categorised as patient-under-investigation (PUI).

There were 313 people subjected to PUI since Jan 10, of which 297 turned out negative and nine are still under observation.

Dzulkefly stressed that transmission of the coronavirus was through droplet contact and not airborne transmission, therefore the public should take the necessary precautions.

"Avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth without cleaning your hands properly - wash your hands frequently with water and soap for at least 20 seconds."

"Avoid those who appear to be suffering from cough and flu. Adopt a cough etiquette - close your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and wash your hands immediately," he said.

Dzulkefly also urged children, the elderly and those with weak immune systems to avoid non-essential visits to the hospital to avoid the possibility of hospital-acquired infections.