41 new Covid-19 cases in Malaysia related to tabligh gathering; total now 238

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia recorded 41 new Covid-19 cases on Saturday (March14), bringing the tally to 238 cases, said Health Ministry director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

This is the country’s highest one-day spike on record. Yesterday, the ministry announced 39 new cases.

All 41 new cases are related to the tabligh (religious event) gathering clusters.

“Of the 41, 37 cases are patient under investigation, and four are close contact cases.

“As of March 14, 1,321 samples from influenza-like-illnesses and severe acute respiratory infections have been tested, and three samples tested positive,” he said.

Dr Noor Hisham added that to date, 203 cases were still being warded, with 5 being treated at the Intensive Care Unit, requiring ventilators to aid with breathing.

These cases are also being given anti-viral treatment.

Two cases (Patient 35 and 61) had been cured and were allowed to be discharged from Sungai Buloh Hospital.

“This brings the total number of cured cases to 35,” he said.

To prevent the spread of the virus at hospitals, Dr Noor Hisham said the ministry had limited visitors to two persons per patient at a time.

Children below 12 and visitors with influenza symptoms such as sore throat, cough, flu, fever, vomiting and diarrhea were not allowed to visit warded patients, he said.

“High-risk visitors such as those with chronic illnesses and individuals with low immunity (such as cancer patients) are also not allowed for hospital visits, except for emergencies.”

On Thursday, Singapore authorities said that at least 82 Singaporeans had been at the gathering and among them, two had tested positive for the virus.

Mosques across Singapore were closed for at least five days from Friday for thorough disinfection and this week's Friday prayers were cancelled. NEW STRAITS TIMES