A total of 11 new COVID-19 cases have been reported in the last 24 hours, with five of them involving the Tawar cluster, said Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
He said that with the latest development as of 12 noon today, the total number of positive cases in the country stood at 9,285, including 189 active cases with infectivity.
“Of the 11 new cases, two were imported cases involving a Malaysian and a foreigner returning from the Philippines and Indonesia. Both cases were detected in Selangor,” he said at a press conference on COVID-19 here today.
He added that all the nine local transmissions involved Malaysians, with seven cases in Kedah, of which five were linked to the Tawar cluster.
Dr Noor Hisham said one case involved a pre-surgery screening at the Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital in Sungai Petani, who was then moved to the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Setar, while another was tested after showing symptoms.
Meanwhile, one case in Selangor involved a case under investigation where the patient was asymptomatic and was admitted to the Sungai Buloh Hospital while one case in Perlis involved a patient with Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) at the Tuanku Fauziah Hospital, he said.
To date, there are eight cases being treated in the intensive care unit, with six requiring ventilators, Dr Noor Hisham said.
"No COVID-19-related fatalities were reported today and the death toll remains at 125 cases, which is 1.35 per cent of the total number of cases,” he added.
He said six patients had fully recovered today, bringing the cumulative number of recoveries to 8,971 or 96.6 per cent of the case total.
Elaborating on the Tawar cluster, he said the five new cases today took the total number of cases related to the cluster to 70.
"All the five new cases involved pupils of a primary school in Kedah. They were identified through active case detection and close contact screening. Investigations showed that they are close contacts of case number 9,197, who is a pre-school pupil (case reported on Aug 16, 2020),” he said.
He said that as of noon today, a total of 3,547 people had been screened from the said cluster in Kedah, Penang and Perak. In Kedah 3,018 individuals were screened and 59 tested positive, 2,717 were negative while 242 are still waiting for their results.
“In Penang, 518 were screened, 11 tested positive and the rest negative. In Perak, all 11 who were screened tested negative. Close contact screening and field activities will continue. The current situation of this cluster and that of other clusters would be announced from time to time,” said Dr Noor Hisham.
The ministry reminded all schools to comply with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) set by the Ministry of Education and National Security Council (MKN).
He also suggested that parents should continue to advise and educate their school-going children on practices that they should adopt to prevent COVID-19 infection in school buses, classrooms and during any sports or co-curricular activities.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Tue Aug 25 2020
Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said that with the latest development as of 12 noon today, the total number of positive cases in the country stood at 9,285, including 189 active cases with infectivity - Foto BERNAMA
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Trump says he would impose tariffs on China if China went into Taiwan
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said he would impose additional tariffs on China if China were to "go into Taiwan,"
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.