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KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia reported a record 5,725 new COVID-19 cases on Friday (Jan 29) as the country nears the end of its most recent motion control order (MCO).
The figure reported on Friday was a sharp rise from the country’s previous daily high of 4,275 on January 23.
The Klang Valley area accounted for about two-thirds of the new infections, with 3,813 cases. Selangor state was the worst hit, with 3,126 cases, while Kuala Lumpur reported 687 new infections.
There were another 684 cases in Johor, while Sabah recorded 288.
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The Health Ministry also reported 16 new deaths, aged between 36 and 93, and said that There are currently 301 patients in the intensive care unit, of which 115 are intubated.
Twelve new clusters were identified, bringing the total number of active clusters in the country to 375. Ten of the new clusters are linked to workplaces, while two are in the community.
AUTHORITIES FACILITATE SOME MCO RESTRICTIONS
Malaysia’s finance minister said on Wednesday that the country cannot afford another total lockdown as it would be “very damaging” to the economy.
Speaking with CNA in an exclusive interview, Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said that the current nationwide MCO that had been applied in all states except Sarawak, through February 4, had made it difficult to achieve the country’s target growth forecast. .
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Rules for businesses allowed to operate during the MCO were relaxed on Friday, and certain stores were allowed to stay open until 10 p.m. A report from the Malay Mail also said that night markets could operate between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Authorities also allowed long-distance married couples living in MCO-affected states to travel to meet their spouse. Inter-state travel under the MCO is not allowed unless travelers obtain permission from authorities.
Malaysia has reported daily four-digit increases in COVID-19 cases since December 9.
As of Friday, Malaysia has reported 203,933 cases of COVID-19, of which 45,478 are currently classified as active or infections. There have also been a total of 733 deaths.
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