FOR the fourth consecutive day, the daily number of new Covid-19 infections surpassed 850 cases, with the cumulative number of cases breaching the 22,000 mark.

Another three deaths were reported, bringing the country’s death toll to 193 while health authorities battle to treat 7,681 active cases.

Currently, there are around 11,000 Covid-19 beds in hospitals and quarantine and low-risk treatment centres across Malaysia to treat patients.

Director-general of health Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said of the 862 new cases today, Sabah once again recorded the highest number of daily cases at 673.

This is the 14th straight day the state has recorded the most number of cases. Cumulatively, Sabah now has 8,746 Covid-19 cases since the onset of the pandemic.

Nationally, there are now 22,225 cases.

Today’s fatalities are again all from Sabah, and involve elderly Malaysians.

Two were women, one aged 59 who had high blood pressure, diabetes and chronic kidney diseases. She died at the Tawau Hospital. The other woman was aged 90, who had high blood pressure and heart disease, and died at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

The third victim was a man, aged 78, who also had a background of chronic illnesses plus dislipidemia. He died at the Tawau Hospital.

The three fatalities today means Malaysia has recorded deaths for 13 consecutive days. 

As to recoveries, 634 patients were discharged in the last 24 hours,

Ninety-five patients are still in intensive care units, with 29 of them needing breathing assistance. – October 20, 2020.