by BERNAMA / pic by BERNAMA

After exactly one week, Malaysia recorded one fatality today due to COVID-19 infection, taking its death toll to 124 thus far, said Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

He also said that 13 new cases were recorded, bringing the cumulative number of positive COVID-19 cases to 8,897.

On the 124th death (case 8743), he said it involved a 63-year-old Malaysian woman with a history of high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol.

“She had a fever and cough on July 3 and sought treatment on July 9. She was referred to the Kuching General Hospital on the same day for further treatment and tested positive for COVID-19.

“Her condition deteriorated and she died on July 26 at 12.04 am,” he said in a statement today.

Dr Noor Hisham said the total number of infectivity cases was 173 and that they have all been isolated and given treatment.

He said of the 13 new cases, 10 were local transmissions involving nine Malaysians and one non-citizen while the other three were imported cases who were infected overseas.

The imported cases involved a Malaysian and two foreigners who were allowed to enter the country from Pakistan, Kazakhstan (both cases in Kuala Lumpur) and Indonesia (case in Kelantan).

As for the local transmissions, he said the one case involving a foreigner was from the Bukit Tiram cluster.

“Of the nine involving Malaysians, six of the cases were from the Bukit Tiram cluster in Johor, one from the Sentosa cluster in Sarawak, one from a pre-procedure screening in Pahang and one from the screening of close contacts of case 8662 in Sabah,” he said.

To date, two positive COVID-19 cases are being treated in the intensive care unit (ICU), with one requiring breathing apparatus.

“Six more patients have been discharged today, taking the cumulative number of recovered cases to 8,600 or 96.7 per cent of the total number of cases,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Noor Hisham advised those who returned to Malaysia before July 24 and undergoing home supervision and observation order to strictly adhere to the stipulated rules.

Among the rules are that they must undergo the quarantine fully at home and avoid mingling with family members or housemates.

“On the 14th day, they must present themselves at the nearest District Health Office (PKD) with a COVID-19 test report to obtain clearance from undergoing home supervision and observation as well as to have the observation order wristband removed by the PKD,” he said.

Dr Noor Hisham said that up to July 24, a total of 17,897 travellers had been cleared from undergoing home observation and supervision order as well as having their wristbands removed by the PKD.

“However, as of July 24, there are still 2,897 travellers who have yet to present themselves at their nearest PKD to obtain clearance,” he said.