KUALA LUMPUR, April 18 — Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah today said that 54 Covid-19 (novel coronavirus) positive cases were recorded as of noon today. 

This brings the national total number of accumulated positive cases to 5,305. 

He said there are currently 2,115 active cases, where patients are isolated and currently being treated. 

“The number of recovered cases is 135 today, and they have been discharged. 

“That brings the total accumulated recovery number to 3,102 or 58.5 per cent,” said Dr Noor Hisham during the Ministry of Health daily press conference. 

Based on latest reports, the MOH also reported two deaths today. 

“This brings the death toll to 88 or 1.66 per cent. 

“Death number 87 (case 2,657) was a 60-year-old Malaysian man who had a history of high blood pressure and diabetes. He was treated at the Hospital Kuala Lumpur on March 30 and died on April 12 at 3.20pm. 

“Death number 88 (case 5,252) is a man from Myanmar. The 36-year-old was treated at the Selayang Hospital on April 17 but he came too late and had severe acute respiratory infection (lung infection) and died on the same day,” said Dr Noor Hisham. 

On update of the medical staff cluster in Sabah, Dr Noor Hisham said the cluster involves staff from three public hospitals — Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Ikas Women and Children’s Hospital and Keningau Hospital. 

“To date, there are 31 positive cases from this cluster, with two new positive cases reported today. 

“All the positive cases are still being treated. The 31 positive cases are of 23 medical staff and eight family members or the public,” he said. 

He further explained that this cluster was detected when a case was tested positive on April 2 among one of the staff in Queen Elizabeth Hospital. 

“The staff was unwell with a cough and flu. On the same day screening and investigation were carried out and the staff had tested positive.  

“He was tested positive along with few colleagues and family members,” he said. 

Dr Noor Hisham added that all 31 positive cases are still warded. 

He said they were not infected while treating Covid-19 patients. 

“MOH wishes to remind that the reduction of cases in the last few days should not be misinterpreted by the public as the fight against Covid-19 is almost over and hence take the movement control order (MCO) lightly. 

“Our fight is not over and we want to advise the public to continue to abide by the MCO although developments have been positive, the public need to continue to stay home, practise social distancing and hygiene practices,” he said. 

He added that with these measures taken it will help break the chain of infection. 

“We will continue to update the public from time to time with the latest information on Covid-19,” he said.