by SHAHEERA AZNAM SHAH/ pic by RAZAK GHAZALI

MALAYSIA recorded 57 new infections of Covid-19 as at noon yesterday, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 7,819 (at press time).

Among the new cases, 10 were imported transmissions, while the remaining 47 were local cases comprising 43 foreigners and four Malaysians, Health DG Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah (picture) said.

“Of the 43 foreigners who contracted the virus, 24 were detected at the Sepang Immigration Detention Depot, while another 15 cases were detected in Pahang, which has recorded three new clusters.

“Currently, nine Covid-19 positive patients are being treated in the intensive care unit, of which two cases require breathing assistance,” he said in a press briefing in Putrajaya yesterday.

Of the three new clusters in Pahang, two are in Maran and one in Bera. Existing clusters in Sepang and Kampung Sungai Lui, Selangor, and Pudu in Kuala Lumpur, also recorded new cases yesterday.

Dr Noor Hisham said there were no deaths related to the virus yesterday, marking nine straight fatality-free days and keeping the country’s total Covid-19-related deaths at 115 (at press time).

Twenty-three Covid-19 patients have recovered yesterday, bringing the cumulative number of patients who have recovered and been discharged to 6,353 (at press time) or 81.25% of the total number of cases in Malaysia.

The Health Ministry is still investigating the source of contraction at the immigration depots. Meanwhile, the immigrants continue to be separated and treated at the hospitals, Dr Noor Hisham added.

In line with World No-Tobacco Day, he also warned of the consequences of smoking and its role in increasing the risk of Covid-19 complications.

He added that the government continues to monitor offences related to tobacco products under the Poisons Act 1952 and the Control of Tobacco Product Regulations 2004.

“Following the Movement Control Order, most tobacco retailers are not allowed to operate. However, there are still transactions conducted through online sales,” he said.

He added that disciplinary actions have been taken against 118 personal websites and online retail platforms, as well as social media accounts.

At present, the ministry is collaborating with the Pharmaceutical Association of Malaysia, International Islamic University Malaysia and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia to provide counselling services for people who are giving up cigarettes through an online platform.