Covid-19: ICU beds reach almost 90% capacity in Klang Valley, 74% nationwide, says Health DG - The Star Online

PETALING JAYA: The current usage of critical and intensive care unit beds dedicated to treating Covid-19 patients has now reached 89% in Klang Valley and 74% nationwide as of Tuesday (May 18), says Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah (pic).

According to Dr Noor Hisham, as of Tuesday (May 18), Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Kedah, Sarawak, and Negri Sembilan have so far recorded utilisation of more than 80% of Covid-19 ICU beds.

“Covid-19 hospitals have increased the number of ICU beds allocated for Covid-19 patients through the repurposing of ordinary wards.

“However, this has also reduced the chances of non Covid-19 patients to receive proper care, ” he said in a statement on Facebook on Wednesday (May 19).

Dr Noor Hisham said the dramatic increase in cases has put tremendous pressure on the national healthcare system and it is the shared responsibility of all to break the chain of Covid-19 infections.

“Now more than ever, the rakyat are important frontliners and must continue staying at home if there are no urgent matters outside.

“We have no choice; kita mesti jaga kita!”

On Tuesday (May 18), Malaysia recorded 4,865 new Covid-19 cases and 47 deaths.

The country is under the third movement control order, where movement is restricted and sectors such as sports, education and social are closed.

The economic sector, however, remains open.

Recently, the Health Ministry has said that it is mulling to enforce stricter SOPs or even a full-scale MCO in Selangor, if the state, which recorded surges in daily infections recently, fails to curb Covid-19.