Fifteen positive cases of Covid-19 were detected among Malaysians as the country reported 43 new cases today, said Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
He said the 15 Malaysian patients – one in Kuala Lumpur, four in Selangor, five in Negeri Sembilan, two in Melaka, and one each in Pahang, Perak and Sabah – were among the 38 local transmissions reported.
Seven of the 15 cases were detected from screenings done at tahfiz centres, he told a daily news conference on Covid-19 today.
He said the 43 new cases brought the cumulative figure for positive cases to 8,445.
“Of the 43 new cases, five are imported cases which were infected overseas – four involving Malaysians and one a permanent resident.
“Of the 38 local transmissions, 23 are foreigners and 15 are Malaysians,” he added.
A total of 21 cases involving foreigners were discovered after repeat samples were taken among detainees of the Bukit Jalil Immigration detention centre who have been transferred to the Immigration Academy in Port Dickson.
The other two cases were detected at a vegetable wholesale market in Penampang, Sabah and a plantation worker in Temerloh, Pahang.
On another note, 143 people have recovered and have been discharged from hospital as of noon today. This brings the cumulative number of recoveries to 7,311.
There are currently four patients being treated in intensive care units, while active cases stand at 1,014.
Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said a 96-year-old woman in Sabah has died from Covid-19 and is believed to be the nation’s oldest victim of the coronavirus.
The woman had died in her house, and the virus was detected posthumously.
Her body was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Sabah and the screening found the deceased to be positive for the novel coronavirus.
“The source of infection is being investigated,” he said.
This latest death brings the death toll to 120.