More than 50 per cent ICU bed utilisation in Johor and Kelantan

 

-NSTP file pic, for illustration purpose only.

KUALA LUMPUR: The utilisation of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds in Johor and Kelantan exceeds 50 per cent as of yesterday, said Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

Bed usage (ICU) in Johor and Kelantan reached 65 and 50 per cent respectively where 48 patients are being treated for the virus.

"As for non-ICU beds, nine states have over 50 per cent occupancy namely Perak (99 per cent) followed by Kelantan (96 per cent), Selangor (93 per cent), Perlis (93 per cent), Putrajaya (85 per cent), Kuala Lumpur (84 per cent), Johor (80 per cent), Sabah (79 per cent) and Pahang (51 per cent).

"Bed utilisation at Covid-19 Low Risk Quarantine and Treatment Centres (PKRC) in eight states is beyond 50 per cent in Perak (74 per cent), followed by Negri Sembilan (73 per cent), Selangor (71 per cent), Terengganu (60 per cent), Kelantan (59 per cent), Sabah (58 per cent), Kedah (51 per cent) and Penang (50 per cent).

"The number of Covid-19 patients requiring ventilation increased to 141 while its usage was at 36 per cent," he said in a statement today.

Data shared by Dr Noor Hisham showed that nationwide, bed utilisation for non-ICUs stood at 62 per cent where 7,119 patients and Persons Under Investigation are warded, while it was 26 per cent for ICU beds where 216 patients are being treated.

Bed usage at PKRCs was at 52 per cent where 5,583 patients are housed.

As for bed usage for Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 cases in public hospitals, Dr Noor Hisham said the occupancy at non-ICU wards was at 68 per cent where 28,057 patients are placed while 857 patients or 54 per cent are treated at the ICU.

There are 41,270 non-ICU beds and 1,588 ICU beds.

"Overall, the health facility capacity at public hospitals can still cater to Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 cases. However, all states are prepared with their immediate response plans if the capacity surges," he said.

Dr Noor Hisham also said there were 1,469 hospital admissions while 1,011 were discharged yesterday.

There were 147 patients in Category 1; 800 in Category 2; 235 in Category 3; 255 in Category 4 and 32 in Category 5.

"However, there is a difference between daily Covid-19 case admissions to hospitals compared to the new Category 1 to 5 cases diagnosed daily.

"This is taking into consideration the patient's clinical condition that is dynamic and may decline or improve throughout the infection period.

"For example, when diagnosed, a Category 2A patient is isolated at home under the home surveillance order but his condition deteriorates to Category 3 and requires admission," he said.

Dr Noor Hisham also said there were pre-emptive admissions to the PKRCs and hospitals for Categories 1 and 2 patients due to factors such as medical emergencies, newly diagnosed non-communicable diseases at the Covid-19 Assessment Centres, immunocompromised issues as well as unsuitable home environment.

The admission of children is due to prolonged fever and fatigue, chronic diseases, dehydration and the absence of a guardian.

Yesterday 26,701 new Covid-19 cases were reported where 97.6 per cent were local transmissions among Malaysians.

Up to 26,583 patients are in Categories 1 and 2 while 118 are in Categories 3, 4 and 5. - NST.