One more probable Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) case was detected yesterday, bringing the total to six since the first probable case was recorded o­n March 30.

The latest patient is a 54-year-old Chinese Malaysian woman, who was admitted to the Penang General Hospital o­n Monday.

"Her condition is quite serious as she needs a lot of oxygen," Health Ministry deputy director-general Dr Mohd Ismail Merican told reporters during his daily briefing at the ministry in Kuala Lumpur today.