FOUR people succumbed to the deadly coronavirus in the country, bringing the death toll to 19, said Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

He said 172 new cases were confirmed, with the total testing positive for Covid-19 now at 1,796 cases.

Of the new infections, 71 were linked to the tabligh cluster at the Sri Petaling Mosque.

“As of today, 45 patients remain in intensive care units, with 34 requiring respiratory assistance. Sixteen patients were discharged today,” he said during the daily press conference at the Health Ministry.

The total number of those who have made a full recovery now stands at 199, he said.

Dr Noor Hisham said the national Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC) reported one death last night and a further three today.

The 16th death is Patient 1334, a 75-year-old Malaysian man who was treated at Hospital Angkatan Tentera Tuanku Mizan on March 16 before being transferred to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital on March 18. His condition declined and he was placed on a respirator at the intensive care unit (ICU) before he died at 7.40pm yesterday.

The 17th death is Patient 1251, a 66-year-old Malaysian man who was suspected to have been in contact with a Covid-19 patient from the tabligh cluster. He was treated at the Sultanah Fatimah Specialist Hospital on March 20. His condition declined and he was placed on a respirator at the ICU before dying today at 4.10am.

The 18th death is Patient 1625, a 56-year-old Malaysian man. He was warded at the Sultan Ismail Hospital in Johor on March 20 before dying on Monday at 2am.

The 19th death is Patient 1246, a 68-year-old Malaysian woman who was warded at Sultanah Nora Ismail Hospital, Johor on March 19. She was later placed on a respirator at the ICU before dying today at 12.53am.

The first three had chronic illnesses.

On the extension of the movement control order, Dr Noor Hisham urged the public to maintain social distancing of at least 1m.

“The public is encouraged to stick to indoor activities, together with their families, when doing exercises.” – March 25, 2020.