[UPDATED] New infections drastically drop to 17,352; 272 deaths logged

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s daily Covid-19 tally today saw a substantial decline to 17,352 from yesterday’s 20,396.

Sarawak leads with 3,714 infections, followed by Selangor (2,126), Johor (2,101), Sabah (1,844), Kedah (1,599), Penang (1,558), Kelantan (1,213) and Perak (1,082).

Terengganu saw 700 cases, Pahang (463), Kuala Lumpur (398), Melaka (295), Negri Sembilan (193), Perlis (38), Putrajaya (23) and Labuan (5).

The latest cases take the national total to 1,862,187.

The Health Ministry reported 272 new coronavirus deaths, driving up the toll to 18,491.

Another 20,201 recoveries make for a total of 1,591,028.

Of the 975 patients in intensive care, 435 require respiratory assistance.

As of 5pm yesterday, the rate of non-intensive care unit beds used by Covid-19 patients stood at 76%, and ICU beds, 86%.

As for vaccination figures, up till 11.59pm yesterday, 62.9% of the population had received at least one dose, while 48.8% was fully inoculated.

Of today’s new infections, 268 cases (1.54%) are in Categories 3, 4 and 5, of whom 71.3% are either not vaccinated or have yet to complete the immunisation regime.

The rest of the fresh cases, numbering 17,084 (98.46%), are in Categories 1 and 2, of whom 65.9% are either not vaccinated or have yet to get both doses.

In a statement today, Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the country also recorded 20,201 recoveries, bringing the total discharged to 1,591,028.

Dr Noor Hisham said there are 272 deaths today bringing the death toll to 18,491. Of these, 81 cases were brought in dead (BID). 

He reported that 1,355 patients are under intensive care, with 745 requiring breathing assistance. Meanwhile, eight cases were imported.

Dr Noor Hisham also reported that the infectivity rate (R-naught) for the nation is below 1.0 at an R-naught of 0.96.

Despite Selangor having the highest number of fresh infections nationwide, it has an R-naught reading of 0.88, while Sarawak has the highest at 1.17.

Perlis recorded an R-naught of 1.15, Johor (1.10), Terengganu (1.08), Penang (1.06), Perak (1.06), Kelantan (1.03) and Sabah (1.01).

Dr Noor Hisham said the country has seen a total of 4,921 clusters, including 30 new clusters today.

A total of 3,468 clusters have ended, leaving 1,453 active.

He said 16 of the new clusters are related to workplaces, seven from the community, four related to high-risk groups, two from private educational institutions registered under the Education Ministry and one involving a detention centre.  – The Vibes, September 6, 2021