KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 8 — Malaysia recorded another massive jump in new Covid-19 cases today, the Health Ministry has announced.

Of the 100 new cases registered today, 85 were local transmissions with the remaining 15 imported.

According to the ministry, 62 of these cases originated from the Benteng Lahad Datu cluster in Sabah which first emerged on September 1.

The remaining 23 came from the Sungai cluster in Kedah that was confirmed yesterday.

Today’s figure is the highest since the recovery movement control order (RMCO) came into effect on June 10.

Previously, the highest number of daily reported cases during this period was 62 as was registered yesterday.

Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the 100 new cases today brought the cumulative infections in Malaysia to 9,559.

"Of this number, 295 are currently active and have been isolated and are undergoing treatment,” he said during his bi-weekly press conference.

The 15 import cases include six from India, two from Indonesia, and one each from Pakistan and the Philippines.

"Meanwhile 12 cases were reported to have recovered from Covid-19 today, bringing the total number of recoveries in Malaysia to 9,136 cases or 95.6 per cent of all total cases.

"Presently seven positive cases are being treated in intensive care units, with four requiring breathing assistance. There have been no deaths reported today, leaving the total number of deaths at 128 cases or 1.34 per cent of all total cases,” Dr Noor Hisham said.

The latest ministry statistics showed that 431 people have been screened in Lahad Datu with 87 testing positive, while in Sungai 470 have been screened in Kedah with 25 testing positive, five in Penang with no positives, and four in Perlis with one positive.

Due to the increase in infections, the director-general said the government took steps to tighten border control in relation to high-risk countries since yesterday.

"The Immigration Department has tightened the entry of citizens from 23 countries into Malaysia. Their entry will depend on the Long-Term Visit Pass, and is applicable to citizens from countries which have recorded a cumulative excess of 150,000 Covid-19 cases or more.

"This is one of the steps taken to secure border control. The ministry will continue the risk-assessment of countries worldwide, with the latest list of countries facing restrictions to be updated and announced by the government from time to time,” he said.

From July 24 to yesterday, approximately 29,330 individuals arriving to Malaysia were placed at quarantining stations.

Of this number, 237 have since tested positive for Covid-19, with the bulk from India at 42 cases, followed by the Philippines at 27 cases, and Indonesia at 26 cases.