COVID-19: Malaysia reports 1,348 infections, 5 deaths, 5 new clusters

According to him, 16 from today's new cases were imported while the remainder of 1,332 cases were from local transmision.

"Active cases with COVID-19 infectivity are now 18,279 cases," he said during a press conference on Wednesday.

Dr Noor Hisham said Selangor continues to record the highest number of COVID-19 cases for eight consecutive days at 535 cases (39.7 per cent).

Of these, 363 cases (67.9 per cent) were from existing clusters and close contact screenings actively conducted on the ground.

This is followed by the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur with 226 cases (16.8 per cent) and Sabah with 189 cases (14.0 per cent)

Dr Noor Hisham said 710 daily recoveries were reported, making the cumulative number of cases recovered and discharged to 80,014 (81.0 per cent of the total cases).

A total of 102 patients are being treated at intensive care units, with 44 patients requiring breathing assistance.

Five new deaths were recorded in the last 24 hours, bringing the cumulative number of COVID-19 deaths in Malaysia to 444 (0.45 per cent of the total cases).

Meanwhile, the MOH informed that there are five new clusters that have been identified today, namely:

1. Jalan Panah Construction Site Cluster

This workplace cluster involves Lembah Pantai district in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur.

Cases for this cluster have been reported positive for COVID-19 since December 7 via a targeted screening at the construction site.

As of December 23, a total of 1,000 individuals have been screened, of which 21 cases have been confirmed positive for COVID-19 from this cluster.

This workplace cluster involves Lembah Pantai, Cheras, Titiwangsa districts in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Petaling, Klang, Sepang and Hulu Langat districts in Selangor and Maran and Kuantan districts in Pahang.

The index case for this cluster (i.e. the 88751 case) was reported positive for COVID-19 on 17 December 2020 via symptomatic individual screening.

As of 23 December 2020, a total of 293 individuals have been screened, of which 23 cases have been confirmed positive for COVID-19 from this cluster.

3. Saga Tengah Cluster

This cluster involves Tenom and Keningau districts in Sabah.

Index cases for this cluster (ie 89,355 cases) were reported positive for COVID-19 on 18 December 2020 via symptomatic individual screening.

As of 23 December 2020, a total of 298 individuals have been screened, of which 16 cases have been confirmed positive for COVID-19 from this cluster.

4. Kolam Air Cluster

This cluster involves the districts of Kota Setar and Kubang Pasu in Kedah.

The index case for this cluster (ie the 81862 case) was reported positively COVID-19 on 12 December 2020 via Detainee (OKT) screening.

As of 23 December 2020, a total of 84 individuals have been screened, of which 14 cases have been confirmed positive for COVID-19 from this cluster.

5. Hala Mutiara Cluster

This cluster involves the Kinta district in Perak. The index case for this cluster (i.e. 82131 case) was reported positively COVID-19 on 12 December 2020 via Detainee (OKT) screening.