by TMR / graphic by MZUKRI MOHAMAD

MALAYSIA’S Covid-19 death toll rose to 1,400 with 11 new fatalities reported yesterday.

The number of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) also increased to 248, with 101 requiring respiratory aid.

In total, there were 2,340 new Covid-19 cases yesterday, with Selangor recording the highest daily infection with 526 cases.

Other states with three-digit cases include Sarawak (429), Kelantan (370), Kuala Lumpur (291), Sabah (172) and Johor (170).

This brought the total active cases in the country to 21,687, bringing the total confirmed cases to 381,813.

A total of 1,910 patients recovered and were discharged, pushing the number of recoveries to 358,726.

Earlier yesterday, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba said a total of 4,868 cases from 83 clusters have been identified from the education sector since Jan 1 until April 20.

He said of the total 83 clusters, 49 clusters with 2,617 cases are still active and 34 clusters with 2,251 cases were declared expired.

Meanwhile, a total of 39 clusters are with 1,420 cases involved schools under the Education Ministry, while 19 clusters with 1,870 cases involved higher education institutions, and the remaining 25 clusters with 1,578 cases are from other education sectors.

According to Dr Adham, whenever the State Health Department is informed of any new positive Covid-19 cases, the health team from the District Health Office will be mobilised to conduct investigations, contact tracing, infection prevention control measures and assessment risk.

“Based on this assessment, the authority will decide whether there is a need to close the class or premises temporarily,” he explained.

More schools nationwide were ordered to close in the past few days, with 19 in the Petaling district and two in Johor Baru. The Kelantan Education Department had ordered all schools and educational institutions in seven districts placed under the Movement Control Order to be closed until April 24 on rising Covid-19 cases.

The Malaysian Reserve recently reported that experts are looking at the return of the implementation of home-based teaching and learning due to the possible new wave of infections.