COVID-19: 156 new cases, three deaths

A total of 156 new cases of COVID-19 were reported up to noon today, raising the cumulative total in the country to 2,626 cases.

Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said three deaths were recorded today, bringing the tally to 37.

“The 35th death (case no.1,952) was that of a Malaysian woman aged 57 years with a history of diabetes.

“She had a history of travel to Indonesia. The patient was treated at Hospital Sungai Buloh and pronounced dead on 29 March at 4pm,” he said at the daily press conference on COVID-19 developments.

“She had a history of travel to Indonesia. The patient was treated at Hospital Sungai Buloh and pronounced dead on March 29 at 4 pm,” he said.

The 36th death (case no.1,941) comprised a Malaysian man aged 47 years who was treated at the Sarawak General Hospital from March 23, and died today at 8.10 am.

Dr Noor Hisham said the 37th death (case no.2,471) was that of a Malaysian woman aged 46 years with a history of high blood pressure and autoimmune disease.

She was warded at Miri Hospital, Sarawak and died today at 9.02 am.

On the capacity of hospitals, the director-general said the total number of hospitals across the country providing COVID-19 screening services had risen from 57 to 70.

The number of hospitals treating COVID-19 infections had also increased from 26 to 38 thanks to cooperation from the Malaysian Armed Forces and the Universiti Malaya Medical Hospital.

“Seven of the hospitals are hospitals designated for the treatment for COVID-19 patients. As such, the number of beds for COVID-19 treatment has risen to 3,994,” he said.

The ministry is also planning to transform some of its training institutes into quarantine and treatment centres, so that these can accommodate a total of 1,937 beds. Other facilities being identified for the same purpose include the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) which has the capacity to house 600 beds.

Meanwhile, Dr Noor Hisham advised individuals with history of overseas travel to undergo self-quarantine and distance themselves from family members and others living with them under the same roof, 24-hours a day, for a period of 14 days.

During the same period, they are also advised to undertake preventive measures such as observing a high level of personal hygiene and constantly washing their hands.

“During the 14 days, you are also requested to monitor yourself for any symptoms such as fever, cough, cold, sore throat or difficulty in breathing, and if you experience any of these, make an urgent call to the nearest health facility and report your condition to the health personnel on duty,” he said.

Individuals who have been instructed to undergo self-quarantine at home, were also advised to comply with home quarantine orders as provided under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988.

-- BERNAMA