KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has reported more than three million Covid-19 cases since the pandemic started, with 22,802 new infections logged today.
Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the number of cumulative coronavirus cases nationwide now stood at 3,019,163 since the pandemic struck the nation in March 2020.
He said of the new cases, 99.54 per cent are under Category 1, 2 and 3 while 0.46 per cent are under Category 4 and 5.
He said 77.49 per cent or 17,669 cases are under category 2; 22.05 per cent or 5,029 cases are asymptomatic; 0.36 per cent or 82 cases are under Category 3; Category 4 (0.06 per cent or 14 cases); and Category 5 (0.04 per cent or eight cases).
In his statement later in the evening, Dr Noor Hisham also said there were 176 patients in ICU. This includes 98 patients who were intubated.
However the ministry recorded 5,442 recoveries today.
There were also 11 new clusters today bringing the number of active Covid-19 clusters nationwide to 415 clusters in total.
Meanwhile, ProtectHealth Corporation chief executive officer Anas Alam Faizli urged the elderly who are eligible to get their boosters and parents with children aged between five and 11 to register them for vaccination.
"22,802 new cases today. As expected with Omicron, new cases are on a sharp rise. That's why booster campaign and children vaccination are needed as it is proven successful in reducing the severity of Covid-19.
"Boost your elderly and vaccinate your children now #PICKBooster #PICKids," he tweeted.