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Every potential contact—be it a family member, fellow traveler, or hotel staff—was evaluated. Some individuals, like a taxi driver who transported the patient, were identified as close contacts and placed in quarantine. The process involved coordinating with airlines, hotel management, and even border authorities across Malaysia and regional neighbors to monitor and test contacts.
Medical Insights: How the Virus Infects and Causes Disease
Understanding the virus's biology provided insights into its contagiousness and severity. Coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, attach to cells via spike proteins targeting ACE receptors in the respiratory tract. Once inside, they hijack cellular machinery, replicating rapidly and causing cell destruction.