KUALA LUMPUR (May 18): The Ministry of Health (MoH) said there were 1,279 Covid-19 positive cases detected among senior citizens and children, accounting for 18.4% of all cases to date.
There were 961 positive cases in Malaysia involving older folks above the age of 60, accounting for 13.8% of total cases. Meanwhile, 318 infections involved children aged 12 and below, accounting for 4.6%, according to health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah in his daily media briefing today.
“If we look at it in terms of comorbidities, up until May 17, there were 10.8%, or 744 cases, of overall positive Covid-19 cases with chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, heart disease and others,” he said.
Noor Hisham also expressed his concern over the number of people trying to travel between states ahead of the Hari Raya Aidilfitri festivities this coming Sunday despite curbs by the government to control the spread of the virus.
He noted that in the past three days, 2,931 vehicles were caught trying to cross state lines to "balik kampung".
“This is indeed worrying, especially if combined with university students who have returned home to their families. Their family members may include those from at-risk groups such as senior citizens, children and those with low immunity because of various kinds of chronic diseases or other comorbidities,” he said.
He added that from April 27 until yesterday, the Ministry of Higher Education had sent home 49,019 to their families.
Noor Hisham said students who have travelled across states in Peninsular Malaysia are required to quarantine themselves for 14 days at home, while for those who have returned to Sabah and Sarawak, they will need to undergo Covid-19 tests.
Malaysia reported 47 new cases today, raising total infections to 6,941.
The number of recoveries increased further to 5,615 after 44 patients were discharged today.
Meanwhile, no new death was recorded, thus the Covid-19 death toll in the country remained at 113.
See also:
Covid-19: Malaysia reports 47 new cases, no death today
Covid-19: 20 out of 21 new imported cases today found among Malaysians returning from Saudi Arabia
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