MALAYSIA logged 17,000 Covid-19 recoveries against 12,735 new cases as of noon today, director-general of health Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said.

Some 2,054,824 people have now recovered from Covid-19.

Noor Hisham said 12,515 of the 12,735 new cases were in Categories of 1 and 2, displaying no to mild symptoms. Only 220 – or 1.7% – of cases were in Categories 3, 4 and 5.

Noor Hisham said the number of patients treated in the intensive care units (ICU) witnessed a dip from 979 yesterday to 924 today.

Of this total, 849 were confirmed Covid-19 cases, while the remaining 75 were suspected cases and cases under investigation.

He said 512 patients required respiratory support, of which 387 were confirmed coronavirus cases while the other 125 were suspected or probable, and cases under investigation.

Health authorities also reported 15 new clusters, which brings the active cluster count in the country to 1,214.

Of the total, nine involved workplaces, four in the community and one among high-risk groups. 

Meanwhile, Noor Hisham also announced that starting from October 4, public hospitals will allow husbands or immediate family members to accompany their pregnant wife or family member during birth, which he said requires strong emotional and physical support. 

However, the initiative also depends on the policy in each hospital, taking into account aspects of safety, patient privacy as well as the situation in the delivery room.

Noor Hisham said those who wish to accompany their wife or family member in the delivery room must ensure that they are fully vaccinated and are required to take a Covid-19 test. – September 30, 2021.