KUALA LUMPUR:The number of COVID-19 deaths reported today doubled to 16 from eight yesterday, setting a record high in single-day fatalities, said Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
He said nine deaths were reported in Selangor, four in Sabah and three in Johor, with the victims aged between 44 and 79.
This brings the death toll in the country to 537, or 0.41 per cent of the total number of positive cases.
“For your information, the increase in fatalities today was due to cases which required a certain period for further investigations before the deaths were confirmed to be caused by COVID-19,” he said in a statement today.
Dr Noor Hisham also said 2,643 positive cases were reported today, bringing the cumulative figure to 131,108 cases. New cases yesterday had hit a record high of 3,027.
Only two of the new cases today were imported and the rest were local transmissions, while active cases now stand at 25,140, he added.
Selangor had the highest daily cases at 1,086, with 904 cases from clusters and close contact screening in the field.
This was followed by Sabah with 401 cases and Johor with 298 cases.
He said 79 cases were related to clusters at lock-ups, immigration detention depots and prisons, involving Jalan Harapan Prison cluster with 73 cases, Pagar Siput cluster (three ), Tembok Choh cluster (two), and Tembok Gajah cluster (one).
Among the clusters recording the highest increase in cases were Sungai Putus cluster with 374, Jalan Klinik new cluster (132) and Jalan Harapan Prison cluster.
Dr Noor Hisham said six new clusters were detected today - Kauran and Setapak Indah clusters, and four workplace clusters of Jalan Klinik, Tapak Bina Hevea, Bukit Belimbing and Kapital.
The Jalan Klinik cluster involving Klang, Selangor recorded 132 cases; Tapak Bina Hevea cluster involving Petaling, Selangor (30); Bukit Belimbing cluster which was reported in Petaling and Klang, Selangor (33) and Kapital cluster involving Lembah Pantai, Kuala Lumpur (72).
The Kauran cluster involving Keningau, Sabah reported 55 cases while Setapak Indah cluster in Titiwangsa, Kuala Lumpur recorded 16 cases.
So far, 576 clusters have been reported, with 319 clusters having ended including three - Jalan Bomba, Makmur and Bina Galeri - which ended today.
This leaves active clusters under monitoring at 257 and of this number, 57 clusters reported new cases today.
A total of 2,708 recoveries were reported today, raising the cumulative figure to 105,431, or 80.4 per cent of the total number of positive cases.
He said 170 patients were under intensive care, with 82 requiring ventilator support.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Fri Jan 08 2021
Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said nine deaths were reported in Selangor, four in Sabah and three in Johor, with the victims aged between 44 and 79. BERNAMApic
Samples obtained by Chinese spacecraft show moon's ancient volcanism
The material provides new insight into the moon's geological history including the oldest evidence to date of lunar volcanism.
The scamdemic targeting the young and vulnerable
Teenagers and young adults are becoming prime targets for a new wave of cyber scams, a trend raising alarm bells across Southeast Asia.
Japanese manicurist takes on plastic pollution, one nail at a time
Before global leaders address plastic pollution, a Japanese manicurist highlights the issue by incorporating it into her nail designs.
What to watch for ahead of US presidential inauguration
Here's a timeline of events between now and inauguration day.
The battle to reduce road deaths
In Malaysia, over half a million road accidents have been recorded so far this year.
Pro-Palestinian NGOs seek court order to stop Dutch arms exports to Israel
The Dutch state, as a signatory to the 1948 Genocide Convention, has a duty to take all reasonable measures at its disposal to prevent genocide.
How quickly can Trump's Musk-led efficiency panel slash US regulations?
Moves by Trump and his appointees to eliminate existing rules will be met with legal challenges, as many progressive groups and Democratic officials have made clear.
2TM: Consultations on PTPTN loans, admission to IPTA at MOHE booth
Consultations on PTPTN loans and admission to IPTA are among services provided at the Higher Education Ministry booth.
Kampung Tanjung Kala residents affected by flooded bridge every time it rains heavily
Almost 200 residents from 60 homes in Kampung Tanjung Kala have ended up stuck when their 200-metre (m) long concrete bridge flooded.
COP29 climate summit draft proposes rich countries pay $250 billion per year
The draft finance deal criticised by both developed and developing nations.
Bomb squad sent to London's Gatwick Airport after terminal evacuation
This was following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage.
Kelantan urges caution amidst northeast monsoon rains
Kelantan has reminded the public in the state to refrain from outdoor activities with the arrival of the Northeast Monsoon season.
Former New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern receives UN leadership award
Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern was given a global leadership award by the United Nations Foundation.
ICC'S arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant an apt decision - PM
The decision of the ICC to issue arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant is apt, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
KTMB provides two additional ETS trains for Christmas, school holidays
KTMB will provide two additional ETS trains for the KL Sentral-Padang Besar route and return trips in conjunction with the holidays.
BNM'S international reserves rise to USD118 bil as at Nov 15, 2024
Malaysia's international reserves rose to US$118.0 billion as at Nov 15, 2024, up from US$117.6 billion on Oct 30, 2024.
Findings by dark energy researchers back Einstein's conception of gravity
The findings announced are part of a years-long study of the history of the cosmos focusing upon dark energy.
NRES responds to Rimbawatch press release on COP29
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) wishes to offer the following clarifications to the issues raised.
Online Safety Bill and Anti-Cyberbullying Laws must carefully balance rights and protections
The Online Safety Advocacy Group (OSAG) stands united with people in Malaysia in the fight against serious online harms.
Malaysia's inflation at 1.9 pct in Oct 2024 - DOSM
Malaysia's inflation rate for October 2024 has increased to 1.9 per cent, up from 1.8 per cent in September this year.