KUALA LUMPUR: Three children under the age of five have died from Covid-19 between January and May.
Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said same number was recorded in the whole year of 2020.
"Apart from that, children receiving treatment at the intensive care units (ICU) are also on the rise. In 2020, eight paediatrics cases received treatment at ICU, where six of them were under five year old.
"Until May this year, 27 cases were treated at the ICU where 19 were under the age of five," he said in a statement today.
He urged all party, particularly parents and guardians, to play their part and protect those with low immunity such as babies and children from Covid-19.
"Build a safe environment for them by fully adhering to the existing standard operating procedures (SOP) and for adults who are eligible, get vaccinated."
On Monday, Health Minster Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba revealed that 82,341 infants and children in Malaysia had tested positive for Covid-19.
Dr Adham said 19,851 cases were children below the age of four, with 8,237 cases involving those aged five to six.
A total of 26,851 cases aged seven to 12, while 27,402 aged 13 to 17.