With 172 new cases reported as of 12pm today, the number of Covid-19 infections in Malaysia has now climbed to 1,796, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said today.
“Seven days ago, the total number of Covid-19 cases was 673. This means the number of positive Covid-19 cases have more than doubled in just a week,” he said in a televised address.
Malaysia has reported 17 deaths from the virus, including that of a doctor.
Malaysia recorded its 17th Covid-19 death today when a 66-year-old Malaysian died at Sultanah Fatimah Specialist Hospital in Muar Johor.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said in a statement today the individual — Case 1,251 — had a history of several chronic illnesses as reported by the National Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC).
Dr Noor Hisham said the patient had started showing symptoms a week before being admitted to Sultanah Fatimah Specialist Hospital, Muar on March 20.
The patient had been so critical as to require emergency breathing support upon admission at the hospital’s Emergency Department that same day.
The Health D-G did not reveal the person’s gender.
“The patient was positively diagnosed with Covid-19 on March 21, 2020. The patient’s health deteriorated day by day and passed away on March 25, 2020 at 4.10am. The cause of the case’s Covid-19 infection is still under investigation,” he said in a statement today.
Earlier, the 16th fatality was Case 1,334, a 75-year-old man who had a history of chronic illness.
Dr Noor Hisham in his official Facebook page last night said the senior citizen had shown symptoms five days before being admitted to Tuanku Mizan Armed Forces Hospital on March 16 and was transferred to Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) on March 18.
“The patient’s health deteriorated and was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to receive respiratory aid.
“He was confirmed positive for Covid-19 on March 21 and was pronounced dead at 7.40 pm Tuesday. The source of his Covid-19 infection is still under investigation,” Dr Noor Hisham said.
Worldwide, at least 417,582 people have been infected by the virus, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
Meanwhile, more than 18,000 fatalities have been reported.