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Malaysia has enough hospital beds, says PM

KUALA LUMPUR: A total 172 new Covid-19 cases were reported today, bringing the total to 1,796 infections, while the death toll rose to 17, said Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

He said Malaysia has enough hospital beds to cater to all who might be infected by the Covid-19 virus in the near future.

As of today, only 34 per cent of the beds have been taken while the balance, 66 per cent are ready to be used at any time. Total beds available are 3,585 at 34 hospitals.

“If there is an increase of Covid-19 cases more than what the 34 hospitals can cater to, we have identified other hospitals that can be turned into temporary isolation and quarantine centres,” he said when addressing the nation today.

Muhyiddin said the government is expecting more Malaysians to be infected in the next few days and thus, the Health Ministry will ensure that they will get the necessary medical aid they require.

However, in an effort to fight the virus, Muhyiddin again implored to all citizens to practice the precautionary measures announced by the government so that the chain of infection can be broken.

He said a strategy to combat the deadly virus is in place but the government would need the public’s cooperation by obeying the MCO.

“The government’s strategy is to find, screen, isolate and heal all Covid-19 patients. The Health Ministry will increase its capacity to do screening tests at a higher level.

“This includes conducting mass testing, especially at high-risk areas. In other words, we want to stop the infection.

“This strategy will be a success if the public is not exposed to the virus through human contacts,” he said.

The new coronavirus disease has claimed 18,907 lives globally, with 422,945 cases as of 1pm (source: https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/).

Medical teams worldwide are struggling to cope with the rising number of patients, while governments have started imposing lockdowns to break the chain of infection.

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