Malaysia’s Covid cases on the downtrend as ICU usage, deaths decline

Malaysia has been recording a decline in Covid-19 cases with a decrease in number of new infections since the 34th epidemiology week (ME).

Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said in the 42nd ME (Oct 17 to Oct 23), new Covid-19 cases declined by 20.7% from 52,321 cases (41st ME) to 41,508 cases (42nd ME).

“The average active cases also showed a decrease of 21% from 105,497 cases (41st ME) to 83,605 cases (42nd ME) while deaths dropped by 16.4% from 593 cases (41st ME) to 496 cases (42nd ME).

“Cases requiring treatment in the ICU declined by 16.5%, that is 684 cases (41st ME) to 571 cases (42nd ME), while cases requiring respiratory assistance decreased by 14.4%, that is 292 cases (4st ME) to 250 cases (42nd ME) with the Covid-19 infectivity or R-naught (Rt) rate remaining stable at 0.88,” he said in a statement.

He said a total of 56 clusters were reported for the 42nd ME involving workplaces (35), communities (nine), educational centres (seven), high-risk groups (three) and religious activities (two).

Noor Hisham said most countries in Southeast Asia have recently shown a declining trend in COVID-19 cases although neighbouring Singapore and Brunei have shown an increase.

He said the two countries have shown a higher case rate per million population than Malaysia (180.91 cases) at 584.86 cases (Singapore) and 499.88 cases (Brunei).

“Therefore, although Malaysia shows a decline in cases, compliance with SOPs must continue to be practised to avoid a spike in cases such as in neighbouring countries after the reopening of education and economic sectors,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said the health ministry had allocated 28,832 beds at Covid-19 quarantine and low-risk treatment centres (PKRCs), 15,241 regular ward beds, 1,374 ICU ward beds, and 2,861 breathing apparatus for suspected cases, probable cases and those under investigation.

Noor Hisham said the use of beds in PKRCs and beds in regular wards and ICUs also showed a downward trend of around 4% to 8% in the 42nd ME compared to the 41st ME.