KUALA LUMPUR, 7 Oct 2020:
After a record high of 691 cases reported yesterday, a total of 489 new Covid-19 positive cases were recorded and two new clusters detected in the past 24 hours, said Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
Of the 489 cases, he said 487 were local transmissions, while the other two were imported cases.
“Of the 487 local transmissions, 467 involved Malaysians and 20 foreigners while the two imported cases involved a Malaysian and a foreigner returning from India and Maldives,” he said in a statement on Covid-19 today.
The latest development also sees the cumulative total number of cases rising to 13,993 and active cases with infectivity potential at 3,351.
There were 74 recoveries, taking the cumulative total recoveries to 10,501 cases or 75% of the total number of cases. No fatalities were reported today and the death toll remains at 141 or 1.01% of the total cases.
Meanwhile, 40 patients are currently being treated in the intensive care unit, with 13 needing ventilator support.
Detailing the breakdown of the cases today, Dr Noor Hisham said 139 of the cases were from the Tembok Cluster – namely the Alor Setar and Pokok Sena prisons – in Kedah.
“This comprises 28.4% of today’s total number of cases and all the positive cases from the Tembok Cluster were from those isolated under the administrative Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) in prison. This means they are isolated from society.”
He said another 15 cases involved returnees from Sabah, bringing the number of cases with a travel history to the state since Sept 20 to 283.
The breakdown of local transmissions according to states is as follows: Sabah (282 cases); Kedah (153); Selangor (19); Penang (seven); Johor (six); Perak and Terengganu (four each); Kuala Lumpur and Sarawak (three each); Pahang and Putrajaya (two each); Kelantan and Negeri Sembilan (one each).
He said 10 active clusters recorded more cases today while two new clusters – namely Bah Puchong cluster and Penjara Reman cluster – were identified.
Dr Noor Hisham said the Tembok cluster had the highest increase with 139 new cases.
On the details of the new clusters, Dr Noor Hisham said they are the Bah Puchong cluster – which was identified in Petaling, Selangor – and Larut, Matang and Selama as well as Kinta in Perak.
“The index cases of the cluster (cases number 13061th, 13065th and 13069th) were found positive on Oct 5 from screenings upon returning from high-risk areas in Sabah.
“They were admitted to Sungai Buloh Hospital. Following that, screenings of close contacts were conducted and two more positive cases in Larut, Matang and Selama as well as Kinta were detected and they were warded at Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital, Perak.”
As at noon today, he said 39 individuals had been screened while the source of infection is still being investigated.
Meanwhile, the Remand Prison cluster was identified in northeast Penang with the cluster index case (case number 13499th) as death case number 141st, who is an 85-year-old man.
“He was found unconscious early in the morning on Oct 5 in prison and was pronounced dead at Penang Hospital.
“Screening on Covid-19 conducted on the same day found he was positive for the disease. Following that, close contact screenings were conducted and six more positive cases were identified involving locals on Oct 6 , and they were warded at Penang Hospital for treatment.”
Dr Noor Hisham said at at noon today, 286 individuals had been screened while the source of infection is still being investigated.
Apart from the three clusters, other clusters which recorded more cases included the Bah Sintok cluster (14 cases); Jalan Meru cluster (four cases); Laut cluster (two cases); Benteng PK cluster (two cases); Selasih cluster (two cases); as well as the Bah Tanjung and Embun clusters each with one new case.
– Bernama