CORONAVIRUS | Malaysia has recorded 156 new Covid-19 cases as of noon today, bringing the total to 2,626.

Health Ministry director-general Noor Hisham Abdullah also reported three new deaths, including one which was announced last night. This puts the death toll at 37 or 1.4 percent of total cases.

The number of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) also rose from 73 to 94.

Those in ICU who require ventilators to breathe increased from 52 to 62.

On the bright side, Noor Hisham reported the highest number of daily recoveries today with 91 people discharged.

This brings the total recoveries to 479 people or 18.2 percent of total cases.

The three deaths are as follow:

Patient 1,952 (35th death)

A 57-year-old Malaysian woman who has a history of diabetes. She was a Health Ministry staff with the human resources division. She had a travel history to Indonesia. She was treated at Sungai Buloh Hospital and passed away on March 29 at 4pm.

Patient 1,941 (36th death)

A 47-year-old Malaysian man. He was treated at Sarawak General Hospital on March 23 and passed away on March 30 at 8.10am.

Patient 2,471 (37th death)

A 46-year-old Malaysian woman who had a history of high blood pressure and autoimmune disease. She was treated at Miri Hospital and passed away on March 30 at 9.02am.

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

He said the Health Ministry has increased the number of Covid-19 screening hospitals to 70 compared to 57 in February.

He added that the hospitals that can treat Covid-19 patients have also increased from 26 to 38.

He said there are now 3,994 hospital beds intended to treat Covid-19 patients, on top of the already announced 19,200 beds being converted out of convention and training centres to host less serious Covid-19 cases.

He added that the Health Ministry is looking into converting the Ministry of Health Training Institute (ILKKM) into a quarantine and treatment centre with 1,937 beds.

"The ILKKM can be further increased if needed," he said.

This is on top of the 600 beds on standby at the Malaysian Agro Exposition Park Serdang (Maeps).

Noor Hisham also advised Malaysians who are returning overseas to self-quarantine for 14 days.

Malaysia went under a movement control order (MCO) on March 18 but some left the country before the start of the partial lockdown.

Under the MCO, Malaysians are not allowed to leave the country. Non-essential businesses and services are ordered closed while people are to stay home except for when replenishing food supplies or seeking medication.

He said those returning to Malaysia must monitor their temperature and symptoms daily.

Those with a fever or other symptoms should immediately seek medical help and can also consult its virtual health advisory, he said. 

Keep up with the latest information on the outbreak in the country with Malaysiakini's free Covid-19 tracker.

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