Covid-19: ICU cases hit all-time high of 506, says Health DG

PETALING JAYA: The number of Covid-19 cases receiving treatment in intensive care units (ICU) has hit an all-time high of 506, says the Health director-general.

Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the number of confirmed, probable and suspected Covid-19 cases admitted to ICUs is the highest since the pandemic hit the country.

“On May 7, the country recorded 506 cases in the ICU, the highest since the pandemic started, with 295 cases requiring ventilator support, ” he said in a Facebook post on Friday (May 7).

Of the 506 cases, 372 were confirmed Covid-19 patients while 134 are probable and suspected cases.

Highlighting the strain on the public healthcare system, he said critical case admissions to ICUs have increased by 44% compared to the previous two weeks.

“A few states such as Selangor, Kelantan and Sarawak, as well as Kuala Lumpur show steep increases.

“Meanwhile, 22 Covid-19 hospitals recorded ICU bed occupancy rates of more than 70%, with some recording more than 90%.

“A few non-Covid-19 hospitals had to treat patients who required ventilator support as these patients could not be transferred to Covid-19 hospitals due to overcrowded ICUs.

“Some patients also had to be given ventilator support in normal wards, ” he said.

He added that with the upcoming festive season and vaccination coverage not yet extensive, it is likely that hospitals will continue to face an increase in cases with serious symptoms (categories three to five).

“This will involve vulnerable groups such as senior citizens and those who have comorbidities.

“I urge the people to continue following the SOPs and to register immediately as vaccine recipients, ” he said.