BY AFIQ AZIZ / pic by BERNAMA

MALAYSIA recorded its second highest number of new Covid-19 positive cases today at 217.

The highest number was recorded on March 26 with 265 positive cases, while March 23 saw 212 new cases.

Health DG Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah (picture) said as of today, the total number of cases is 3,333 with Selangor remaining at the top spot with 863 accumulative cases.

In a press conference today, Dr Noor Hisham also announced three new deaths due to Covid-19, bringing the total to 53 since March 18.

He said two of the deaths had histories of chronic diseases.

The 51st death was an 84-year-old Malaysian woman who had suffered from a heart disease.

“The 52nd death was a 52 year-old Malaysian man who had no chronic disease,” Dr Noor Hisham said.

Meanwhile, the 53rd death was a 73-year-old Malaysian woman who had a history of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney problem and diabetes.

With this, the cumulative number of Covid-19 deaths in Malaysia is 1.59% of the total cases.

Meanwhile, Dr Noor Hisham  announced that 60 patients who suffered from the virus had been cured and discharged.

This brings the total number of recoveries to 827 cases, or 24.81% of total cases.

He added that 2,453 cases are still under treatment.

Of the total, 108 patients are being treated in the intensive care unit, where 54 are relying on ventilators.

There are 8,265 pending results, with the World Health Organization predicting that cases will peak by mid-April.

The government had enforced the Movement Control Order on March 18 to restrict people’s movement, hence curbing the spread of the virus.

Initially scheduled to end on March 31, it has been extended to Apr 14.

Meanwhile, health authorities are preparing more beds at its facilities to prepare for the anticipated spike of Covid-19 cases in the country.