The Kuching Jetty cluster, Ramnad PUI cluster and KL restaurant cluster had officially ended yesterday

by LYDIA NATHAN/ pic by RAZAK GHAZALI

MALAYSIA has recorded double-digit Covid-19 cases for the fifth consecutive day yesterday with 25 new cases including nine local transmissions and 16 imported, bringing the total number of infections to 9,200.

Health DG Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said out of the nine local transmissions cases, six were from the Tawar cluster, bringing its total case to 39.

On the local transmissions, seven were Malaysians and two foreigners. Dr Noor Hisham said there were 216 active cases with seven patients currently receiving treatment in the intensive care unit and two patients required ventilator support.

“A total of 28 patients have recovered and discharged from hospitals today, and no death was reported,” he said.

Dr Noor Hisham added that 96.29% of the total Covid-19 cases in the country, or 8,859 individuals, have recovered from the virus and the death toll remained at 125.

Three Covid-19 clusters namely the Kuching Jetty cluster, Ramnad patient-under investigation (PUI) cluster and Kuala Lumpur (KL) restaurant cluster had officially ended yesterday.

Earlier, Dr Noor Hisham said the Malaysian Institute for Medical Research has detected a D614G-type mutation as a result of isolation and culture tests on three cases from the Sivangangga PUI cluster and one case from Ulu Tiram cluster.

He advised the public to stay vigilant following the detection of this new mutation as its “10 times more infectious” and is easily spread by an individual “super spreader”.

The D614G mutation was discovered by scientist in July this year and is likely to render a vaccine ineffective against the new strain.

Meanwhile, the public can appeal for a reduction of the RM1,000 compound issued on those caught not wearing face masks in crowded places.

Bernama reported Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob as saying that there will be no amending of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342) as cases are ongoing and action must be taken immediately.

“The public will be allowed to appeal and the Ministry of Health (MoH) will be able to give a lesser amount. If we are to amend the act, we have to present it in Parliament and we can’t make it for this session, we have to wait for the next sitting,” he was quoted as saying yesterday.

Ismail Sabri also urged people to continue complying with the standard operating procedures set by the government.

“I was informed by the MoH that the virus brought by the Sivagangga cluster has been contained, so it is no longer spreading in Kedah, Perlis and so forth,” he said.

According to the senior minister, 235 individuals were arrested yesterday for violating the Recovery Movement Control Order. Of the total, 15 were in remand, while the rest were issued compounds.

Additionally, the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry has been monitoring 12 essential items at 677 business premises including 515 retailers, 132 wholesalers and 30 manufacturers.

“Overall, the supply of the goods concerned is adequate and able to meet the country’s needs,” he said.