[UPDATED] Health system collapse appears imminent with over 13,000 Covid-19 cases today, infectivity rate up to 1.19

KUALA LUMPUR – A daily Covid-19 count exceeding 13,000 would signal the collapse of Malaysia’s healthcare system, warned Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah just over a week ago.

Today, the number soared to 13,215 in the country’s third straight day of registering a five-figure tally, which was previously over 11,000.

Dr Noor Hisham reported that Selangor logged a shocking 6,120 fresh cases, followed by Negri Sembilan (1,603) and Kuala Lumpur (1,499).

Kedah saw 695 cases, Johor (599), Penang (509), Melaka (484), Sabah (370), Sarawak (363), Perak (344), Kelantan (255) and Pahang (222).

Terengganu registered 70 infections, Putrajaya (53), Labuan (26) and Perlis (3).

In all, the nation has seen 880,782 coronavirus cases since the pandemic began.

Today from a total 13,215 cases; 8,047 are Category 1 with no symptoms (60.9%) and 4,637 are Category 2 with mild symptoms (35.1%). Those in Category 3 with lung infection, Category 4 with lung infection requiring oxygen and Category 5 requiring ventilation, totalled to 531 patients

Previously, Dr Noor Hisham told Malaysians that the lockdown currently in place was aimed at keeping the daily caseload below 13,000.

The Health Ministry said 110 new fatalities push up the death toll to 6,613.

Another 6,095 recoveries take the total to 765,800.

Of the 885 Covid-19 patients in intensive care, 432 require respiratory assistance.

The ministry also reported 26 fresh clusters.

Dr Noor Hisham said the country’s Covid-19 infectivity rate (Rt) stood at 1.19 yesterday, and that infection involving new variants can occur in a mere 15 seconds.

“The increase in cases is not only happening in our country, but the whole world is affected by the more dominant Delta variant, including our neighbouring countries and the United Kingdom. We have seen a spike in cases since June 26…the increase is due to the high Rt of the Delta variant.

“The Rt of a normal virus is between 2.5 and 3, but that of the Delta variant and other variants that we have identified is between 5 and 8. That means if 100 people are infected, the virus can spread to 500 to 800 people in a short period,” he said.

The highest Rt at state-level was recorded in Terengganu (1.40) followed by Putrajaya (1.31), Kedah (1.19), Selangor (1.18), Kuala Lumpur (1.17), Pahang (1.16), Melaka (1.15), Negri Sembilan (1.13), Penang (1.10), Sabah (1.06), Johor (1.05), Kelantan (1.05), Perak (1.04), Sarawak (0.92), Labuan (0.84).

He said the 110 fatalities today involved 45 in Selangor, 23 in Kuala Lumpur, and 11 in Negri Sembilan.

Johor recorded seven deaths, Pahang saw five deaths, while Kedah and Sarawak logged four deaths each. 

Melaka and Kelantan saw three deaths each, Sabah recorded two deaths, while Penang, Perak and Labuan logged one death each. 

Of the 26 new clusters today, 15 originated from the workplace, six from the community, three from detention centers, and two from higher-learning institutions. 

Selangor registered the Industri Jalan Perusahaan Lima cluster in Hulu Langat with 48 cases, the Persiaran Tun Perak cluster in Hulu Langat with 29 cases, while the Industri Batu 34 Dengkil – Banting cluster in Sepang saw 27 cases, and the Persiaran Anggun cluster in Gombak logged 16 cases.

Also in Selangor, the Satu Timur workplace cluster in Sabak Bernam recorded 14 cases, the Desa Temuan community cluster in Petaling saw 55 cases, and the Jalan Gombak 3 cluster in Gombak logged 62 cases today. 

In Kuala Lumpur, the Jalan Seri Utara cluster in Kepong saw 14 cases, the Bintang Meranti cluster in Lembah Pantai, Kepong, Titiwangsa, and Cheras recorded 13 cases, and the Jalan Pinang cluster in Lembah Pantai and Titiwangsa registered seven cases. 

Also in the nation’s capital, the Sri Sabah community cluster in Cheras logged 91 cases while the Lingkaran Wawasan cluster in Lembah Pantai recorded 40 cases today. 

Negri Sembilan logged the Langkap community cluster in Kuala Pilah with 12 cases. 

Johor has registered the Jalan Anggerik Muar cluster in Muar with 68 cases, the Industri Jalan Besi Satu cluster in Kulai with 45 cases, the Jalan Angkasa Mas Dua cluster in Johor Baru with 18 cases, and the Lebuh Tg Satu cluster in Johor Baru with 12 cases. 

Johor also logged the Industri Dewani Satu workplace cluster in Johor Baru with seven cases, the Taman Pelangi Kluang cluster in Kluang with 17 cases, and the Pagar Tropika Satu cluster in Johor Baru with 34 cases.

In Melaka, the Industri Teknologi Cheng Satu workplace cluster in Melaka Tengah recorded 68 cases, and the Tembok Ayer Keroh detention center cluster in Melaka Tengah, Jasin, and Alor Gajah registered 42 cases today. 

Kelantan logged the Jalan Kg Permatang Pasir cluster in Bachok with 14 cases, while the Tembok Pengkalan Chepa 2 cluster in Kota Baru and Machang saw 105 cases. 

Sarawak recorded the Salak Land workplace cluster in Kuching with 41 cases.

Sabah has logged the Kota Klias community cluster in Beaufort with 44 cases today. – The Vibes, July 15, 2021