39 new Covid-19 cases reported, highest in a single day
Thirty-eight of the new cases are among patients under investigation, one contracted the virus from a close contact.
PETALING JAYA: The health ministry tonight confirmed 39 new Covid-19 cases – believed to be the highest number in a single day – bringing the total number to 197.
Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said 38 cases were detected among patients under investigation (PUI), while one had contracted the virus from a close contact.
He said four of the patients needed to be warded in the Intensive Care Unit.
Noor Hisham said 22 patients detected in the first wave of the outbreak had recovered and were allowed to return home.
The announcement by the health ministry came moments after Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced a major mobilisation of health facilities nationwide to fight the virus.
Muhyiddin said the health and defence ministries would collaborate to share facilities as preparation to receive more Covid-19 cases, while private and university hospitals would also work together.
Meanwhile, Sabah health director Dr Christina Rundi said she expected more confirmed cases of Covid-19 after a man from Tawau tested positive for the virus yesterday.
“The state health department has launched a probe to trace the contacts, actively and passively. As such, there is a possibility of more cases detected,” she said in a statement.
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Rundi also said the department was checking a message on social media claiming that a man had tested positive for Covid-19 in Papar.