THE number of Covid-19 cases at intensive care units (ICU) reached an all-time high today with 520 patients warded at various hospitals nationwide, said Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

Noor Hisham said of the 520 patients, 272 required respiratory support.

Today, Malaysia recorded 3,780 fresh cases with 36 deaths.

Public and private hospitals have warned that the country is running short of ICUs and beds to treat Covid-19 patients as the number of cases escalated.

Noor Hisham said yesterday that the nationwide occupancy rate of ICU beds had reached 80%.

There are currently 1,388 ICU beds to accommodate Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 patients at 78 government and teaching hospitals.

“Although (we) are always increasing the number of ICU beds for Covid-19 patients, I am disheartened to report that the occupancy of ICU beds for Covid-19 patients across the country has reached 80% across the country,” he said.

States such as Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang, Sarawak, Kedah and Perak have exceeded the occupancy rate of 80% and there are hospitals where the ICU beds have been maxed out,” he added.

Health Minister Dr Adham Baba told The Malaysian Insight recently that the government is looking to increase capacity at ICUs, ventilators and ambulance service as the healthcare system comes under pressure with mounting Covid-19 cases. – May 16, 2021.