THE number of new Covid-19 clusters rose in the span of two weeks from April 4 until 17, according to a Health Ministry infographic.

It said there were 56 clusters detected in the first week and 64 in the second – representing an increase of 14.3%. 

Cases linked to clusters rose by 46.8% from 2,870 to 4,212.

Education clusters doubled from six to 12 in the period, accounting for 10.7% of the total clusters in the first week and 18.8% in the second week. 

Apart from that, workplace clusters rose by 7.14% with 28 clusters detected in the first week and 30 in the following week. 

Community transmission clusters, on the other hand, increased by a mere 5.9% from 17 to 18 clusters.

There was one imported cluster of infection detected in the first week and none in the second. 

Detention centre and religious ceremony clusters remained unchanged with three and one cluster each week. 

A total of 70 clusters ended in the first week while the second week saw a lower number at 60. 

Between April 4 and 17, there was a 44.6% increase in positive cases – from 9,507 reported in the first week to 13,742 in the following week.

When it came to fatalities, 35 cases were reported in the preceding week and 49 in the following week. 

Health authorities have also stepped up the testing capacity from 342,159 to 382,267.

An increase in the number of serious cases were also noted in the second week whereby there were 205 cases at Intensive care units compared with 158 in the week ahead. 

Yesterday, Malaysia reported 2,875 new Covid-19 cases, taking the national caseload to 384,688. – April 23, 2021.