By Melati Mohd Ariff
KUALA LUMPUR, April 3 (NNN-BERNAMA) – As the Movement Control Order (MCO) entered the third week, Malaysia saw an increase in the number of COVID-19 patients recovering fully against the three-digit hike in new positive cases recorded daily.
Based on Ministry of Health (MOH) statistics, as of 5 pm today, 217 new cases were recorded, bringing the cumulative total of COVID-19 cases to 3,333.
MOH figures since last week also showed a rise in the number of recovered cases. Today, 60 patients were discharged, bringing the total number of recovered cases to 827.
On March 27, 44 patients recovered; 61 on March 28; and 68 on March 29. The upward trend continued this week with 91 cases on Monday; Tuesday 58; Wednesday 108; and Thursday 122.
As for fatalities, three more people succumbed to COVID-19 as of 5 pm today, bringing the total number of deaths to 53. A total of 108 patients are in intensive care units, with 54 requiring ventilators.C
Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has projected that Malaysia’s COVID-19 infections would peak in the middle of April.
There are initial signs of a flattening of the infection curve, Ying-Ru Lo, WHO’s head of mission and representative to Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore, told Reuters yesterday.
In his press conference on Wednesday, Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah stressed that the second phase of MCO, from April 1 to 14, is a critical period for Malaysians as it will determine whether or not the nation has been successful in its efforts to break the COVID-19 chain of infection.
He also reiterated MOH’s advice to the public to stay at home and practice social distancing and hygienic practices such as washing hands regularly.
Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced the imposition of more stringent rules for the second phase of MCO to stem the spread of the virus. These include allowing only one person in a car, except in the case of an emergency, and banning any social activity at home or in public places.
Translated by Rema Nambiar
NNN-BERNAMA