KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 25 — Malaysia has recorded 1,924 new Covid-19 cases today, the first time that the number has fallen below 2,000 since January 4.

In a statement, Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said that out of the 1,924 new cases today, six were imported into the country.

He added that Covid-19 has claimed 12 more lives, bringing the total number of deaths from the virus to 1,100.

"Currently, there are 205 Covid-19 patients being treated in intensive care units (ICU), with 91 of them needing ventilators to help them breathe,” he said.

He said that Selangor recorded the highest number of new Covid-19 cases today at 666 or 34.6 per cent, with Johor coming in second at 257 and Sarawak in third at 219.

"One hundred and five new cases today are related to clusters in prisons and immigration depots from the Tembok Tapah, Damai Pelangi, Tembok Pengkalan Chepa, Tembok Bendera, Penjara Seberang Perai and Tembok Sungai Udang clusters,” he said.

Dr Noor Hisham said of the 12 deaths today, all of them were Malaysians, with nine from Selangor, two from Sarawak and one from Penang.

"Those who died today were between the ages of 52 and 91 and had prior health conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes,” he said.

He said that eight new Covid-19 clusters were also detected today, five of which involve workplaces.

"Three of the eight clusters were found in Selangor, with one new cluster each in Kuala Lumpur, Pahang, Perak, Sarawak and Penang respectively,” he said.

Dr Noor Hisham added that 18 existing clusters also came to an end today, bringing the total number of clusters eradicated to 612.