MALAYSIA reported its fourth Covid-19 death today, with the passing of a 50-year-old man from the tabligh cluster, Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said today.

The Malaysian man, identified as the 238th Covid-19 patient, died at 1.30am today. 

He was admitted to Malacca Hospital on March 12 after experiencing symptoms of severe acute respiratory failure.

Hisham also announced that Malaysia recorded 153 new cases today, bringing the total to 1,183 cases.

“Of the 153 reported today, 90 of them were from the tabligh cluster,” he said, referring to the four-day gathering that took place at the Masjid Jamek Sri Petaling Mosque in Kuala Lumpur on February 27.

He also said 37 patients were being treated in intensive care units, with 23 needing breathing assistance.

He added that 27 people have recovered and been discharged from hospital. This takes the total number of people who have recovered from the virus to 114.

The death announced today is the second in the last 24 hours.

Yesterday evening, the nation saw the third fatality, a 58-year-old man who had also attended the tabligh programme. He had died in Tawau.

Three fatalities involve people from the tabligh programme. The other – the first death – was a pastor from Sarawak.

About 14,500 locals had attended the tabligh, and the authorities are continuing to urge those who have not volunteered to undergo a check-up to come forward without fail. – March 21, 2020.