SABAH reported its first coronavirus death today, bringing to three the total number of deaths in Malaysia since the outbreak.

The latest victim is a 58-year-old man in Tawau, who was part of the Sri Petaling mosque cluster.

Director-General of Helath Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah confirmed the death on Facebook tonight.

“He was admitted to the Tawau Hospital on March 9, 2020 after experiencing symptoms of severe acute respiratory infection,” Noor Hisham said.

He said the patient was placed on respiratory support in the intensive care unit the same day.

“His health had deteriorated over the days and he was confirmed to have passed away on March 20, 2020 at 6.27pm. Condolences to the family of the deceased.”

Malaysia reported its first two deaths from the virus on March 17. 

The first was a 60-year-old man in Sarawak, who had a history of diabetes and hypertension.

The man suffered from chronic illness. He reported showing symptoms of fever, cough and had difficulty breathing on March 7, after which he was admitted to hospital on March 14.

The second victim, a 34-year-old man died in the Sultanah Aminah Hospital intensive care unit in Johor Baru.

Malaysia today registered 130 new infections today, bringing the total to 1,030.

In a statement, the Health Ministry said 48 of the new cases were linked to the Sri Petaling mosque cluster.

It said 26 of the patients were being treated in the intensive care unit.

Worldwide, the death toll of the pandemic has exceeded 10,000. – March 20, 2020.