Recoveries top new cases for 11th day

The people should not have any doubt about the vaccination as the vaccine is safe and effective, says Dr M

by HARIZAH KAMEL / pic credit: Dr Mahathir’s Office

MALAYSIA recorded more recoveries for 11 consecutive days yesterday, where a total of 2,506 patients have been discharged, bringing the total recoveries to 291,958.

In comparison, 1,683 new Covid-19 positive cases were detected, of which 1,673 were local transmissions and 10 were import cases.

Health DG Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said Selangor recorded the highest daily cases with 746 cases, followed by Sarawak (201) and Penang (172).

“Of the new cases in Selangor, a total of 639 cases were from clusters and Covid-19 close contact screening,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Perlis reported a total of 24 new cases, of which 13 involved the Persiaran Wawasan DTI cluster and 11 cases from a detention centre.

Dr Noor Hisham said the cause of the infection is still under investigation, adding that control and prevention activities to curb the spread of the virus in the cluster are underway.

The increase in the new cases has brought the country’s overall total to 313,460 to date.

There are currently 20,333 active cases being treated at health facilities nationwide. Of the total active cases, 174 patients were placed in the intensive care unit, while another 81 patients required respiratory aid.

However, three new deaths were reported yesterday, increasing the country’s death toll to 1,169. The fatalities involved two cases in Selangor and one case in Pahang. All were citizens.

The Health DG said the ministry has detected eight new clusters yesterday, five linked to workplace clusters, two from detention centres and one community cluster. The new clusters rounded up Malaysia’s total active cluster to 472.

Meanwhile, the total number of clusters that have ended is 727 with the addition of 14 new clusters that ended yesterday.

Earlier, Dr Noor Hisham said former Prime Minister (PM) Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (picture) received the first Covid-19 vaccine in Langkawi yesterday.

According to the Special Committee on Ensuring Access to Covid-19 Vaccine Supply, Dr Mahathir is the oldest recipient of the vaccine.

Bernama reported the Langkawi MP as saying that the people should not have any doubt about the vaccination as the vaccine has been proven safe and effective.

“This vaccine has been tested and found effective. I feel protected from Covid-19 after getting the jab; I will feel at ease going to any place,” Dr Mahathir said.

Separately, Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) will be implemented in Kampung Tringgus, Bau in Kuching, Sarawak, starting from March 8-21.

“This was due to the sharp increase in cases with a total of 37 positive cases recorded so far,” he said in a statement.

He also said the government has agreed to extend the EMCO in Kampung Tanah Merah, Kota Marudu, Sabah, from March 9-22.

Meanwhile, the EMCO in Kampung Emperoh Jambu, Padawan, also in Kuching, Sarawak, will be terminated today as scheduled.

A total of 442 individuals were arrested for violating the MCO and out of that number, 430 were compounded, while 11 were remanded and one on bail.

“Among the offences are entertainment centre activities (144), no physical distancing (88), failing to provide registration equipment to record customers’ details (80), not wearing face mask (71), premises operating overtime (eight) and others (51),” said Ismail Sabri.

On Ops Benteng, 102 illegal immigrants were arrested and four vehicles were seized in an operation held nationwide. The authorities also detected 114 boats in national waters.


Read our previous report here

Dr M urges people to take the Covid-19 vaccine