PETALING JAYA: The Covid-19 pandemic claimed another 129 lives in the last 24 hours, involving 118 Malaysians and 11 foreigners.

       This brings the death toll to 7,148.

       Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said that of the latest deaths, Selangor (61), Kedah (14), Kuala Lumpur (11), 10 in Negri Sembilan and Melaka respectively, nine in Johor, three each in Terengganu and Sarawak, two in Sabah, Perak and Penang respectively, and one case each in Kelantan and Labuan.

       There were seven brought-in-dead cases in Selangor, two in Sarawak and one each in Kuala Lumpur, Negri Sembilan, Johor and Sabah.

       He said more than 98% of the 10,972 new Covid-19 cases reported were either asymptomatic or only had mild symptoms.

       "There were 6,337 cases or 57.8% were classified as Category 1 (asymptomatic), and 4,464 cases (40.7%) in Category 2 (mild symptoms).

       "A total of 103 cases or 0.9% were classified as Category 3, meaning they are experiencing lung inflammation), and 42 cases (0.4%) were in Category 4, which means they have lung inflammation and need oxygen.

       "Twenty-six cases or 0.2% were in Category 5, the critical stage and requiring ventilator support," he said in his daily Covid-19 briefing on Monday (July 19).

       Of the new cases, 48 were imported cases involving 28 Malaysians and 20 foreigners.

       The 10,924 local infections involved 1,974 foreigners.

       At present, 915 patients are being treated at the intensive care unit, with 435 on ventilator support.

       The total active Covid-19 cases have risen to 128,997, while Malaysia's total cumulative cases is now 927,533.

       There were also 6,439 recoveries recorded nationwide, with recovery rate at 85.3%.

       The ministry also identified 31 new clusters, bringing the total active clusters in the country to 920 nationwide.

       Eighteen of the clusters were outbreaks at the workplace, eight in the community, two linked to high-risk groups in Kuala Lumpur and Kelantan, two are related to the detention centre in Melaka and one imported cluster in Johor.

       Selangor still recorded the highest daily number with 4,404 cases, followed by Negri Sembilan (1,340), Johor (876), Kedah (705) and Sabah (651).

       Three states that recorded the fewest cases were Perlis (1), Labuan (24), and Putrajaya (48).

       Dr Noor Hisham noted that data as of July 18 from Sungai Buloh Hospital showed a significant decrease in the number of cases with serious infections (Category 4 and 5) among the elderly since the 23rd Epidemiology Week (ME).

       “This downward trend is in line with the start of Phase Two of the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme in April 2021.

       “It started showing early signs of effectiveness since the 22nd ME,” he said.

       He said all citizens aged 60 and above who have yet to obtain an appointment can now directly walk into any vaccine dispensing centres (PPV) in the Klang Valley for their injection.

       “Also, all PPVs will continue to operate every weekend including public holidays, in line with the ministry’s commitment to building cluster immunity at an immediate rate.

       “All citizens are advised to attend their appointments according to the date and location that has been given. Always observe the standard operating procedures throughout the vaccination process at the PPV,” he said.

       Dr Noor Hisham also wished all Muslims in the country a blessed Hari Raya Aidiladha.

       “May we take the lesson behind the meaning of sacrifice and appreciate it in our daily lives,” he said.