KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia today recorded its highest daily death toll since the COVID-19 pandemic began in the country, with 207 fatalites reported in the last 24 hours.
Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said this brought the total number of deaths in the country so far to 8,201, or 0.8 per cent of the total cases.
He said the casualties today comprised 184 citizens and 23 foreigners. The previous highest death toll was 199, reported on July 21.
Meanwhile, he said 1,009 cases were placed in Intensive Care Units (ICU) nationwide, with 524 of them requiring respirator aid.
"A total of 9,372 cases recovered within the last 24 hours, taking the cumulative number of those cured from the disease to 853,913 cases or 83.1 per cent, while there are currently 165,840 active cases," he said in a post on his Facebook page today.
Elaborating, Dr Noor Hisham said 207 deaths were reported today, 57 in Selangor, followed by Kuala Lumpur (52), Johor (24), Kedah (19) and Melaka (18), Negeri Sembilan (14), Pahang (7), Sabah (6), Perak (5), Penang (3) and Terengganu (2).
Dr Noor Hisham said out of the 14,516 new cases reported today, 95 cases or 0.7 per cent (97.9 per cent of cases were not vaccinated) are Category Five, which are critical cases requiring respiratory support.
"A total of 77 cases or 0.5 per cent (85.7 per cent cases not vaccinated) are Category Four (pneumonia and requiring oxygen support), while 83 cases or 0.6 per cent (67.5 per cent cases not vaccinated) are Category Three (pneumonia).
"A total of 7,045 cases or 48.5 per cent (87.6 per cent cases not vaccinated) are Category Two (mild symptoms) and 7,216 cases or 49.7 per cent (95.6 per cent cases not vaccinated) are Category One (no symptoms), he said.
Dr Noor Hisham added that all statistics and percentages were reported based on the current clinical condition of patients diagonsed with COVID-19.
"Some of them remain in the same category throughout their infections, but there are those whose health status changes, either for the better to a lower category, or deteriorate to a higher category.
"The majority of new COVID-19 cases, 92 per cent, had not received their vaccine. Therefore, please get vaccinated to protect yourself and your family from COVID-19 infections," he said.
Based on data till yesterday, he said the infectivity rate (RT) for Malaysia was 1.15, while states that registered the highest RT value were Terengganu at 1.36, followed by Kedah (1.26) and Sabah (1.24).
Meanwhile, Dr Noor Hisham said 33 new clusters were detected, 21 of them workplace clusters, 10 community clusters and two involving educational institutions.
--BERNAMA
Bernama
Mon Jul 26 2021
Dr Noor Hisham said this brought the total number of deaths in the country so far to 8,201, or 0.8 per cent of the total cases. - Astro AWANI screengrab
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.
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.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.