Some 130 Covid-19 new positive cases and three deaths were reported today, pushing the total number of cases to 2,161 and the cumulative death toll to 26.
Four more deaths were reported today.
The 25th fatality was a Malaysian man, aged 83, with a history of chronic illness. He was treated at Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital on March 25 before succumbing to the virus at 6.55pm yesterday.
The 26th case was a Malaysian man, aged 53, who had close contact with patient 1,039 and subsequently tested positive for Covid-19.
He was treated at Sungai Buloh Hospital from March 22 before his death was declared at 10.30am today.
To date, there are 54 Covid-19 positive cases getting treatment at the internal care unit, with 34 of those in need of breathing aid.
44 more Covid-19 patients have recovered and discharged from hospitals today.
As of noon today, Kluang in Johor reported 88 Covid-19 positive cases, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said today.
Of the 88 positive cases, 74 are from Kampug Dato’ Ibrahim Majid and Bandar Bharu Dato’ Ibrahim Majid in Simpang Renggam.
Kluang was categorised as a high-risk area and currently has an enhanced movement control order (EMCO) in effect.
“The purpose of the EMCO is to contain the Covid-19 infection from spreading beyond the area and to identify infection channels.
“This step will enable active case detection conducted from house to house,” said Health Director-General Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah during a press conference today.
It was reported that the government had declared a two-week EMCO effective midnight March 27 to April 9.
The ECMO was declared in two areas in Simpang Renggam after 61 positive cases of Covid-19 were recorded there, out of 83 in Kluang.
The EMCO will involve 3,570 local residents from 650 families.
“The MOH will commit to deploying 300 test kits per day, starting today. The test kits will prioritise close contacts, symptomatic individuals and high-risk groups,” said Dr Noor Hisham.
For now, the disinfection of public areas is being carried out in collaboration with the Housing and Local Government Ministry and Simpang Renggam Municipal Council.
Villagers will also be briefed on home disinfection guidelines, he added.
“Klinik Desa Dato’ Ibrahim Majid will operate as usual while emergency cases will be coordinated by the Medical Emergency Coordinating Centre (MECC),” he said.