CORONAVIRUS | Malaysia recorded 38 new Covid-19 cases, the majority of which are Malaysians returning from abroad.

Health Ministry director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah (above) said 26 of the cases were imported while 12 were local transmissions.

From the imported cases, 20 were Malaysians returning from Egypt, four from Indonesia and two from the United Kingdom.

Speaking at the Health Ministry's daily briefing in Putrajaya today, he said half of the local transmissions involved Malaysians while the rest foreigners.

This brings the total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases to date to 7,857.

He also reported 51 new recoveries, bringing the recovery rate to 81.51 percent or 6,404. No new deaths were reported, keeping the death toll at 115 for the 11th day.

A total of 1,338 more patients are under treatment, of which eight are in the intensive care unit (ICU). Of the ICU patients, two need ventilators to breathe.

The data is for the last 24 hours up until noon today.

Yesterday 26,637 swab tests (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) were conducted. The maximum daily testing capacity now stands at 29,789.

Noor Hisham, in his press conference, reiterated for Malaysians to take precautions against Covid-19.

He urged them to avoid crowded places, confined spaces and close conversations.

The director-general added that Malaysians should wash their hands with soap frequently and put on a mask in public places.