PETALING JAYA: Covid-19 positive individuals with chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes are among those admitted to hospitals, despite being diagnosed under Categories 1 and 2, the Health Ministry (MOH) says.

       Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said also hospitalised were infected individuals in the following categories: guardians for paediatric and geriatric patients; obstetric patients that required enhanced surveillance; and immunocompromised (HIV or receiving chemotherapy) patients.

       “Patients admitted through emergency wards or live in unsuitable housing conditions for quarantine, were also hospitalised.

       “Children experiencing dehydration, prolonged fever and fatigue, having chronic diseases or without guardians received treatments in the ward as well,” he said.

       Previously, the MOH allowed home quarantine for Categories 1 and 2 cases, which refers to individuals who are asymptomatic and those showing mild symptoms.

       However, the ministry noted yesterday that 927 Categories 1 and 2 cases were hospitalised.

       The country recorded 22,133 new Covid-19 cases yesterday, bringing the cumulative infections in the country to 3,083,683.

       “Out of new cases, only 0.06% (146) were in Categories 3, 4 and 5 while 99.34% were in Categories 1 and 2,” Dr Noor Hisham said.

       The infectivity rate or Rt (pronounced R-nought) number of the country was 1.38.

       Labuan led with the highest Rt at 1.94, followed by Sarawak and Sabah both with 1.56.

       He said that out of the 22,133 new cases, 80 were imported and the rest local transmissions, while 194 cases were being treated in the intensive care unit with 120 requiring respiratory assistance.

       Dr Noor Hisham said 7,584 recoveries were also recorded, bringing the cumulative number of recovered cases so far to 2,868,538.

       In addition, 16 new clusters were identified with 444 clusters still active to date.