MALAYSIA recorded 17 Covid-19 recoveries as of noon today, with 14 new cases reported in the same period, director-general of health Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said in a statement today. 

No new deaths were reported, keeping the toll at 125.

The total number of cases is now 8,999 with overall recoveries standing at 8,664. There are 210 active cases.

Thirteen of the new cases are local transmissions involving Malaysians, with one imported case from the Philippines. 

Two patients are being treated in intensive care, with one requiring respiratory assistance.

Of the local transmissions, 11 of the new cases were detected in the PUI Sivagangga cluster. The remaining two new cases were detected at the Labuan entry point – a returning student from Sandakan and a tourist from Penampang.

On the Sivagangga cluster, Noor Hisham said 313 people have been quarantined as of noon today. Of that figure, 20 people – 15 locals and five foreigners – tested positive for Covid-19 while 13 others are awaiting their results.

None of the active cases require intensive care treatment. No deaths from the cluster have been reported so far, Noor Hisham said.

Today, of the 11 positive cases reported by the Health Ministry’s Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre in Sabah, eight patients were known to have come in direct contact with a seven-year-old who was infected.

Another three were infected due to close contact with a 10-year-old pupil.

All patients were warded at the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Star for isolation and treatment.

The health district office is conducting active case detection, with disinfection carried out at schools and homes where cases were detected, he added. – August 2, 2020.