KUALA LUMPUR, March 25 — A total of 172 new positive Covid-19 cases were recorded as at noon today, bringing the trend back up after dipping to 106 new cases yesterday.

Health Director-General Datuk Noor Hisham Abdullah said this brings the cumulative number of Covid-19 infections locally to 1,796, with four more deaths reported over the same period bringing local mortality numbers to 19.

Meanwhile, 16 more recovered, making it a total of 199 of those who were discharged.

"Up to now 45 Covid-19 positive cases are being treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). From that amount, 34 cases require assistance breathing,” he said in a press conference.

Of the new cases recorded, a total of 71 infections were from the Sri Petaling tabligh gathering cluster, while the source of infection for the remainder is still being investigated.

Dr Noor Hisham explained that death #16 was local case #1,334, a 75-year-old local man who had a history of chronic illnesses. 

He had gone to sought treatment on March 16 before being transferred to Kuala Lumpur Hospital two days later, where his condition deteriorated and passed away yesterday evening. 

As for death #17, Noor Hisham explained the local 66-year-old man was local infection case #1,251 and had gone to seek treatment only five days ago. 

"His health worsened and he was then given breathing assistance in the ICU before he was declared dead at 4.10am on March 25,” he said.

Death #18 was also a local male, 56, who was case #1,625, who also had a history of chronic illnesses. 

He had gone for treatment on March 20 and was pronounced dead early this morning. 

The latest death Noor Hisham said occurred also early this morning, a 69-year local woman who was local case #1,246. 

She had gone to Sultanah Nora Ismail Hospital in Johor on March 19, where her condition quickly deteriorated, requiring breathing assistance, before passing away early this morning.