Malaysia reports 103 new COVID-19 cases, no new deaths
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's health ministry reported 103 new COVID-19 cases on Friday (May 29), bringing the national total to 7,732.
For the seventh consecutive day, the country also reported no new deaths, leaving the death toll at 115.
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“Out of the 103 new cases reported, seven are imported ones who got infected overseas," said health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
The imported cases are from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Australia, according to the health ministry's Twitter account.
"Among the 96 local transmissions, 84 patients are foreigners," said Dr Noor Hisham at a daily news conference. Twelve of the new COVID-19 cases are Malaysians.
Dr Noor Hisham said eight cases were still being treated in the intensive care unit, with two requiring ventilator support.
A new cluster involving foreign workers at a cleaning company has also been detected.
Dr Noor Hisham said 24 cases were reported among the Bangladeshi workers of a private clinic as a result of the clinic's screening of staff members.
“The screening is being conducted as an initiative by employers. Of the 150 foreign workers in the company who were screened, 126 tested negative for COVID-19.
"Of the 24 positive cases, 20, are staying at a hostel in Kuala Langat, Selangor and are being treated at Sungai Buloh Hospital, Selangor. Four other cases are staying in an apartment in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan and are being treated at the Tuanku Ja'afar Hospital, Seremban,” he said.
Preventive measures and precautions have been taken and 428 close contacts so far have been identified for screening.
Dr Noor Hisham added that most of the clusters involving foreign nationals stemmed from crowded and cramped accommodation, where social distancing could not be maintained.
READ: Malaysia tightens border control to guard against import of COVID-19 cases by illegal immigrants
He said these conditions can lead to the spread of various infectious diseases, including COVID-19.
Malaysia has been beefing up its border monitoring to prevent foreigners from entering via illegal routes and potentially importing COVID-19 infections.
On Thursday, Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said that more than 300 illegal immigrants were nabbed at the borders this month.
“The government takes seriously the entrance of illegal immigrants into the country and we feel the fear, especially at this time (of the COVID-19 pandemic)," he said.
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