Skip to main content
Best News Website or Mobile Service
WAN-IFRA Digital Media Awards Worldwide 2022
Best News Website or Mobile Service
Digital Media Awards Worldwide 2022
Hamburger Menu

Advertisement

Advertisement

Asia

Record high of daily COVID-19 cases reported in Malaysia for second consecutive day

Record high of daily COVID-19 cases reported in Malaysia for second consecutive day

A medical worker collects a swab sample from a woman during coronavirus testing at a COVID-19 testing center in Ulu Klang, on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Tuesday, May 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia reported a record of 6,806 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday (May 20), as the country continues to battle a third wave of infections. 

This is the second consecutive day that Malaysia has logged record numbers of daily cases since the pandemic began. On Wednesday, the country saw 6,075 new COVID-19 cases, the highest since Jan 30. 

Of the 6,806 infections reported on Thursday, 2,277 cases were from Selangor and 615 cases from Johor. Kuala Lumpur saw 655 new cases, the health ministry said.  

There were also a record 59 fatalities, bringing the national death toll to 2,099. 

This is the fourth time Malaysia has logged record daily numbers for COVID-19 deaths in less than two weeks, surpassing the previous high of 47 deaths on May 18

As of Thursday, Malaysia's tally of COVID-19 cases stands at 492,302, of which 50,171 are active or infectious. There are 587 patients in the intensive care unit.

READ: Johor sultan calls for state elected representatives to meet over COVID-19 amid emergency status

Health authorities in recent days have implored members of the public to stay at home and minimise non-essential activities. 

On Wednesday night, the Health Ministry posted a tweet, urging residents to conduct their own "self lockdown". Measures include not inviting guests to their homes and only heading out to buy groceries once a week. 

Earlier this month, the government banned social activities and travel between districts and states as part of a nationwide Movement Control Order (MCO) imposed before the Hari Raya holidays. 

However, all economic sectors are allowed to operate during the nationwide MCO 3.0, which is in effect until Jun 7. 

On Thursday afternoon, local media reported that Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin will be chairing a meeting on Friday to decide on the next course of action.

This includes the possibility of implementing a "full lockdown", like the first MCO implemented in March 2020, local media said, quoting Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Takiyuddin Hassan. 

BOOKMARK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic and its developments

Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak: https://cna.asia/telegram

Source: CNA/am

Advertisement

Also worth reading

Advertisement