KOTA Kinabalu has become the country’s 28th coronavirus red zone, according to regional data by the Health Ministry up till noon yesterday.

Red zones are where cumulative Covid-19 infections exceed 40.

These zones account for 77%, or 4,013 cases, of infections nationwide. As of noon yesterday, there were 5,182 confirmed cases in Malaysia.

Selangor and Kuala Lumpur remain the worst-affected areas with 1,329 and 952 cases, respectively.

The capital’s Lembah Pantai district is the top red zone with 592 infections, up 15 cases from a day earlier.

Elsewhere in Kuala Lumpur, Kepong has registered 148 cases, followed by Titiwangsa (130) and Cheras (82).

In Selangor, Hulu Langat has the most infections at 446, followed by Petaling (366), Klang (172), Gombak (143), Sepang (70) and Hulu Selangor (49).

Johor is the third most affected state with 614 infections. Its red zones are Kluang with 221 cases, Johor Baru (185), Batu Pahat (52) and Muar (47).

Sabah, which has 288 cases, sees Kota Kinabalu (42) becoming the state’s second red zone after Tawau (79).

Sarawak has 387 infections, with 255 in Kuching alone. Its other red zone is neighbouring Kota Samarahan (55).

Negri Sembilan has 389 cases, mostly in Seremban (288) and Rembau (53).

Yesterday, Director-General of Health Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said movement restrictions may be relaxed in states or districts that do not record fresh infections for 14 straight days.

He said Perlis, Kedah and Penang have recorded zero cases over the past few days, but need to exceed the virus’ 14-day incubation period before they can be declared “green states”.

Between April 15 and noon yesterday, Malacca and Labuan, too, did not report new cases.

The nationwide Covid-19 death toll currently stands at 84. – April 17, 2020.