KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia continues to record a declining trend in new cases since the 46th epidemiology week (ME).
Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, in a statement said, in the 51st ME (Dec 19-25), new Covid-19 cases declined by 18.6 per cent from 27,698 cases (50th ME) to 22,554 cases.
"This declining trend in new cases was recorded over the past five weeks, starting from 46th ME," he said.
As for the average active cases, Dr Noor Hisham said it also recorded a decline of 13 per cent with an average of 48,218 cases (51st ME).
"The declining trend was recorded over the past four weeks.
"For cases requiring treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), it declined by 12 percent to 227 cases (51st ME), compared to 316 cases (50th ME).
"While for cases requiring respiratory assistance, it also decreased by 10.6 per cent to 125 cases (51st ME), compared to 140 cases (50th ME)."
However, Dr Noor Hisham said fatalities reported an increase by 15.2 per cent with 242 deaths (51st ME), compared to 211 (50th ME).
"This, after a decrease in deaths were recorded for seven consecutive weeks from the 43rd ME to the 50th ME."
On clusters, Dr Noor Hisham said 24 new clusters were reported in the 51st ME, compared to 42 new clusters in 50th ME.
Of the 24 new clusters, he said, eight were workplace-linked clusters, communities (five), higher learning institutions (four), high-risk groups (three), religious activities (two), and one each; detention centre and imported.
"There was an increase in religious clusters and detention centres, while the other clusters reported a decrease in the 51st ME.
"As such, the public are being urged to stay vigilant by complying with the standard operating procedures and practice TRIIS (Test, Report, Isolate, Inform and Seek)."