660 Covid-19 cases, 4 deaths

 

PETALING JAYA: The health ministry has reported 660 new Covid-19 cases and four deaths, all in Sabah, in the past 24 hours.

Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said there were 233 recoveries, bringing the total number of those discharged to 11,605.

In a press conference, Noor Hisham said the 660 new cases bring the total number of cases recorded in the country to 17,540.

The number of active cases in the country stands at 5,768, with 108 patients currently receiving intensive care and 35 of them requiring respiratory assistance.

The majority of today’s cases were local transmissions, involving 608 Malaysians and 46 foreigners.

The remaining six were imported cases, originating from Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Of today’s deaths, three were Malaysians between the ages of 73 and 80, who died at Hospital Lahad Datu, Hospital Queen Elizabeth and Hospital Duchess of Kent, respectively.

A 47-year-old foreign national also died at Hospital Duchess of Kent. All four of the deceased had existing medical conditions.

Sabah recorded the most number of cases again with 429, most of which were detected during close contact screenings.

Kedah and Penang recorded 113 and 17 cases respectively, almost all detected from active clusters in both states.

A total of 68 cases were recorded in Selangor, with most cases detected in existing clusters and close contact screenings. Four of the infections were from the newly-identified Kencana cluster.

Labuan, Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Sarawak, Perak, Melaka and Negeri Sembilan all recorded fewer than 10 cases each.

Noor Hisham also assured that hospitals in Sabah did not face any lack of beds for Covid-19 patients, as those under category 1 and 2 will be treated in low-risk quarantine centres while category 3 to 5 patients will be admitted to hospitals.

He said only 23% of the 4,161 beds at low-risk centres have been taken up, while 70% of ventilators are available for patients in need.

He added that less than 75% of beds allocated for Covid-19 patients at the Queen Elizabeth, Lahad Datu, Duchess of Kent, Keningau, Kota Marudu, Kudat and Semporna hospitals have been used.

However, 95% of the beds allocated at Hospital Wanita dan Kanak-Kanak Likas are currently occupied with 105 Covid-19 patients being treated. In Hospital Tawau, 178 Covid-19 patients are being treated, making up 83% of beds designated for those with the virus.- FMT