Malaysia records four-digit growth of new COVID-19 cases for first time

People wear face masks to avoid COVID-19 infection in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Malaysia reported 1,228 new COVID-19 cases on October 24, the highest daily tally and also the first four-digit growth in the number of new infections in a day.

Health Director-General Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah told the press that Sabah continued to record the most new cases, 889, followed by Negri Sembilan (96), and Selangor (76). Meanwhile, eight new cases were confirmed in Kuala Lumpur capital city.

The country also reported seven new fatalities, bringing the death toll to 221.

Among the 25,742 COVID-19 patients so far, there remain 8,966 active cases.

The same day, Senior Minister for Security Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the conditional movement control order imposed in Sabah since October 13 will be extended until November 9, instead of October 26 as initially slated, due to a surge in positive cases, forcing the state government and the Sabah National Security Council to make the decision.

Malaysia is currently in the third wave of COVID-19 infection, which began in Sabah after the state election had been held in late September. From there, the coronavirus has spread to most of other states, prompting the Malaysian Government to impose travel restrictions on some localities, including Sabah, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Putrajaya./.

VNA