Cases soar to new high of 1,228

New Covid-19 infections reached a staggering 1,228 cases in the last 24 hours, in a sign that the pandemic is headed for the worst it has been since it was detected on Malaysian shores.

Of these, 889 or 72.4% were recorded in Sabah, the most the state has reported so far. The Klang Valley meanwhile saw 95 cases (7.7%), 29 of which were from existing and new clusters.

Negeri Sembilan recorded 96 new cases, followed by Selangor (76), Kedah (76), Penang (23), Labuan (21), Perak (10), Sarawak (eight), Kuala Lumpur (19 including 11 imported cases), Johor (seven) and Melaka (three).

The health ministry also announced another seven deaths today, bringing the total fatalities from the deadly virus to 221.

Active cases now stand at 8,966 with 92 in ICU and 31 in need of respiratory assistance.

Meanwhile, 671 patients were discharged from hospital, taking total recoveries to 16,555 or 64.31%.