There are records you want to break during the COVID-19 pandemic – like having zero new cases for 15 months – and then there are records that you’d rather keep quiet about.
This includes daily case count numbers and a low vaccination rate.
When cases have climbed to an alarming number, questions are going to be asked, and fingers pointed.
Several countries have gone through this difficult period, including, Singapore. Now, unfortunately, it’s Malaysia’s turn.
M’sia Now Has Over 1 Million COVID-19 Cases With Record of 17,045 Cases in a Day
A whopping 17,045 new cases were recorded yesterday (25 July) in Malaysia, the country’s highest daily case count since the coronavirus emerged last year.
What’s worse, the record number meant that Malaysia had surpassed the 1 million mark for COVID-19 infections.
In total, it now has 1,013,438 cases.
Most of the new infections reported yesterday came from the Klang Valley, where 8,500 cases were detected. Another 2,045 were found in Kuala Lumpur.
There were also 950 cases in Johor.
Reader: We’re not going to be able to travel across the border for another 10 years, are we?
Let’s focus on our Hong Kong bubble first, dear reader.
What must be concerning for the authorities is that yesterday’s case count set a record for the third consecutive day.
This means that the number of cases per day, which are already high, are still climbing.
Believe it or not, Malaysia’s case numbers have continued to shoot up despite the authorities imposing a total nationwide lockdown in May.
The sudden spike has been attributed to transmission of the Delta variant, which has also been found in Singapore.
A more restrictive lockdown was implemented on 1 June, but cases have continued to soar.
Healthcare System Strained
With over 160,000 active cases, Malaysia’s healthcare system is now bursting at the seams, with the number of new cases rising faster than recoveries.
Almost 1,000 people are in intensive care units, with more than 500 requiring ventilator support.
As of today, 7,994 people across the country have died from COVID-19.
May Ease Restrictions For Vaccinated Residents
The only good news is that Malaysia’s vaccination rate is slowly rising as well.
Almost half of all adults in the country have received at least one dose, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said last Friday.
21.8% of the population has been fully vaccinated.
PM Muhyiddin added that the authorities may ease restrictions for vaccinated residents, including dining in at restaurants and sports activities.
The government is also reportedly considering doing away with quarantine requirements for incoming travellers if they’re fully vaccinated.
Reader: Supper in JB, anyone?
Don’t be too optimistic just yet, dear reader. We have to wait for our cases to come down first.
Understand more about the vaccination here:
Read Also:
- Everything About the M’sia Extended Lockdown That Everyone Was Expecting
- Family in M’sia Infected with COVID-19 Delta Variant Despite Not Leaving the Home Since April
Featured Image: Farrel Arissa / Shutterstock.com