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KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia reported 4,008 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday (Jan 20), the second highest daily count in the country since the start of the pandemic.
Malaysia previously reported a record 4,029 cases on January 16 and has recorded daily four-digit increases in COVID-19 infections for more than a month.
About half of Wednesday’s cases were in the Klang Valley area: Selangor reported 1,391 cases, while Kuala Lumpur had 513 infections. There were also 470 cases in Johor and 406 in Sabah.
There were 11 new deaths, including nine citizens and two foreigners between 42 and 90 years old. The deaths occurred in Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor and Johor, with most of the patients suffering from pre-existing illnesses.
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The Health Ministry also identified 16 new groups, 11 involving workplaces and five in the community. There are currently 318 active groups in Malaysia.
One of the community groups, the Jalan Niaga group in the Johor districts of Kota Tinggi and Kluang, involved distributing aid to flood victims. The first case in this group is that of a 35-year-old Malaysian man who tested positive on January 17. The group now has a total of 18 confirmed infections.
Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin greets people who tested positive for COVID-19 at a quarantine facility at the Malaysian Agro Exhibition Park (MAEPS) in Serdang, outside Kuala Lumpur, on January 19. 2021 (Photo: AFP / Malaysian Information Department). / Syarul Azis)
In Sabah, the Kampung Balibata group has risen to a total of 35 infections. The group in the Beaufort and Sandakan areas involved a burial and funeral activities. His first case was that of a 47-year-old Malaysian man who tested positive on January 12. They tested him before traveling to Selangor, the Health Ministry said.
Another community group was found in Pahang after a 29-year-old Malaysian woman tested positive on January 14. The first case in the Sawmill Luit group reported fever, cough, sore throat, headaches, and loss of taste and smell since January 4. He had previously traveled from Kuala Lumpur on December 29. The group now has a total of 19 cases.
A total of 246 patients remain in the intensive care unit and 96 require ventilation.
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Health Director General Noor Hisham Abdullah said frontline workers face “an uphill battle at every turn.”
“Our country depends on us despite our fatigue. Keep your head up, your chin raised, lean your shoulders and eyes forward, let us bear the responsibility for the good of our loved ones, the community and the country, ”he said in a tweet on Wednesday.
Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin wears a mask, face shield and rubber gloves after arriving at a COVID-19 quarantine facility at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park (MAEPS) in Serdang, outside Kuala Lumpur, the January 19, 2021 (Photo: AFP / Malaysia Information Department / Aqilah Mazlan)
The entire country, with the exception of Sarawak, will be subject to the expanded Movement Control Order (MCO) starting this Friday. Under these restrictions, residents cannot leave except two people from a home for daily needs. The national interstate travel ban is also in effect until January 26.
As of Wednesday, Malaysia has reported a total of 169,379 COVID-19 cases, of which 41,087 are considered active or infectious. There have also been 630 deaths.
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