KUALA LUMPUR (March 31): Malaysia recorded 140 new Covid-19 cases as of noon today, bringing the total to 2,766.

In a statement, Health Director-General Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said there were six new deaths, raising the death toll at 43 or 1.55% of the total cases in the country.

The number of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) was 94, while those in ICU who require ventilators was 60.

Noor Hisham said another 58 patients were discharged, bringing total recoveries to 537 or 19.4% of the total cases.

The latest deaths included a 48-year-old Malaysian woman who has a history of high blood pressure and had contact with patient 2750. She was treated at Hospital Tuanku Jaafar in Seremban and passed away at 4.04pm yesterday.

The 39th death involved a 69-year-old Malaysian man who has a history of high blood pressure and diabetes. He had travelled to Saudi Arabia and passed away on March 27.

The next death case was a 69-year old Malaysian man who had a history of high blood pressure and diabetes. He was treated at Hospital Enche’ Besar Hajjah Kalsom in Kluang and passed away on March 26 at 1.03pm.

The remaining three deaths involved a 40-year old Indonesian man, an 81-year old Malaysian man and a 73-year old Malaysian man.

"The Health Ministry conveys its condolences to their family members," Noor Hisham said.

Selangor remains the State with the highest number of cases with 704, followed by Kuala Lumpur (430), Johor (349) and Sabah (206).

Two weeks of Movement Control Order

After two weeks of the Movement Control Order (MCO), Noor Hisham saidwhile the number of cases has risen, the number of discharged patients has also increased.

He said the statistics also revealed two age groups with the highest number of Covid-19 cases. They are the 26 to 30 year old group, and the 50 to 60 year old group.

“This data shows the impact of activities undertaken by the ministry of health and various agencies over this one month.

“However, the next two weeks are important, (as it) will determine whether the action taken by the government has had the desired impact. This is closely related to the society’s behaviour to abide with the MCO rule,” Noor Hisham said. 

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