KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 1 — The Ministry of Health (MOH) reported today a whopping 260 new Covid-19 cases, marking the highest daily tally since June 4 with 277 cases, and the second-highest ever during the outbreak in Malaysia.
The country’s top daily Covid-19 tally at 277 cases reported four months ago on June 4, however, came mainly from an enclosed space, as 270 of them were reported among foreigners in the Bukit Jalil immigration detention centre here, according to MOH.
The third highest daily tally since Covid-19 broke out in Malaysia last January was recorded on March 26 — during the implementation of the strict Movement Control Order (MCO) — with 235 cases, comprising 208 local transmissions and 27 imported cases.
MOH noted that the increase of cases reported today was predominantly in Sabah and Kedah, though it also noted new cases and clusters in other states.
Out of the 259 new cases reported today, 31 had Sabah travel history. Sabah made the largest share of new infections at 118, followed by Kedah (98), Kuala Lumpur (13), Selangor (13), Johor (five), Putrajaya (five), Terengganu (two), Perlis (two), Melaka (one), Pahang (one), and Penang (one).
Four new clusters were reported today in Putrajaya, Selangor, Sabah, and Kedah. The new Selasih cluster in Putrajaya — whose index case, a 37-year-old Malaysian man who previously travelled to Kota Kinabalu, Melangkap, and Kundasang in Sabah from September 13 to 20 and September 24 to 27 — has reported seven Covid-19 cases so far.
The index case (Patient 11,134) had a fever and cough since September 25 and tested positive from a screening taken at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on September 27.
The new Bah Ketil cluster in Kedah was discovered in Baling and Langkawi. The index case (Patient 11,129), a 39-year-old Malaysian man, previously visited Tawau, Sabah, from September 17 to 21. He started experiencing a cough and muscle ache on September 24 and subsequently sought treatment in Sungai Petani, Kedah. He tested positive for Covid-19 on September 28.
Eight other Covid-19 cases were discovered through contact tracing, totalling nine cases in the cluster.
The new Jalan Meru cluster in Klang, Selangor, with three positive cases so far, did not appear to involve Sabah travel. According to MOH, the index case (Patient 11,148), a 30-year-old Malaysian man, had symptoms since September 24. He tested positive for Covid-19 on September 29.
The fourth cluster — Joo Hwa cluster in Tawau, Sabah — has reported five Covid-19 cases so far. The index case (Patient 10,273), a 31-year-old Malaysian man, had a fever and cough since September 14. Close contact screening yielded four more cases.
State Breakdown
Sabah’s 118 new Covid-19 cases included 20 sporadic cases whose sources of transmission were unknown. The Laut cluster racked up 74 new cases, followed by the Benteng LD cluster (10), Bangau-Bangau cluster (10), Bakau cluster (one), new Joo Hwa cluster (one), and Sakong cluster (one). One more Covid-19 case was found through close contact screening of a positive case.
Kedah reported 88 new cases in the Tembok cluster reported in Alor Star yesterday, as well as three cases from the new Bah Ketil cluster reported today.
Screenings yielded two more cases, including one who previously travelled to Sabah. Five close contacts of a positive case also contracted the virus.
Kuala Lumpur’s 13 new cases reported today included a dozen who previously visited Sabah. The remaining case was a close contact of a positive case.
Selangor’s 13 new cases reported today included nine who returned from Sabah. Three came from the newly reported Jalan Meru cluster, while one came from a symptomatic screening.
Johor’s five new cases reported today comprised four from the Bakawali cluster and one who was screened upon returning from Sabah.
Putrajaya’s five new cases reported today came from the new Selasih cluster.
The two cases reported each in Terengganu and Perlis, as well as one case each in Melaka, Pahang, and Penang, all had Sabah travel history.
As of today, 20 Covid-19 patients are being treated in the intensive care unit, including three on ventilator support. The Covid-19 death toll in the country remains at 136 fatalities.
