[UPDATED] Covid-19 cases breach 27,000 mark again, death at 36 as of midnight

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia has yet again breached the 27,000 mark with its daily caseload at 27,808, while also reporting another 36 deaths as of midnight yesterday, according to the CovidNow portal.

The new reported numbers bring the cumulative total to 3,166,023 and death toll to 32,276.

According to Health Ministry data, there were 11 brought-in-dead (BID) victims, with a total of 6,551 cases.

This surge in infection is mostly attributed to the Omicron variant.

Some 103 are in Categories 3 to 5, while 27,705 are in Categories 1 and 2. Of the 103 cases, 43 are unvaccinated or did not complete their vaccination, double dose (41), boosters (19), aged 60 and above (50), comorbidities (44) and one is a pregnant woman. Sixteen were deaths, including nine BIDs.

In today’s statement, Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said Malaysia has an overall R-naught (infectivity rate) of 1.27, but Labuan has notched the highest Rt at 1.99.

This is followed by Sarawak (1.50), Sabah (1.47), Perlis (1.44), Kedah (1.41), Penang (1.39), Kelantan (1.36), Terengganu (1.37), Kelantan (1.36), Selangor (1.32), Negri Sembilan (1.29), Pahang (1.29) and Kuala Lumpur (1.29).

As for Johor and Putrajaya, they share the national infectivity rate, while Perak (1.23) and Melaka (1.21) remain below the national average.

There are 16 new clusters, bringing the total active clusters to 486, while 6,206 have ended.

Meanwhile, the ministry recorded 12,488 recoveries, 235 cases in intensive care and 132 in need of ventilators.

In terms of ICU bed usage, Johor (70%), Perlis (64%) and Kuala Lumpur (59%) show usage of more than 50%, while ventilator use is at 36%.

Nine states are showing more than 50% capacity at their low-risk quarantine and treatment centres – Perak (86%) Selangor (80%), Negri Sembilan (69%), Terengganu (62%), Kelantan (60%), Sabah (59%), Penang (54%), Perlis (54%) and Melaka (50%). – The Vibes, February 19, 2022