Passengers wait at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang, Malaysia, March 18, 2020. Malaysia confirmed 117 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, bringing the total number of cases to 790, as the country implemented comprehensive restrictive measures to contain the outbreak. The government started implementation of the "movement control order" including closing shops and schools as well as imposing travel bans, calling for residents to stay at home in an effort to contain the COVID-19 outbreak following a spike of cases in the past days. (Xinhua/Chong Voon Chung)
KUALA LUMPUR, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia confirmed 117 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, bringing the total number of cases to 790, as the country implemented comprehensive restrictive measures to contain the outbreak.
Of the new cases, at least 80 had been traced to a large scale religious event held in the capital of Kuala Lumpur from late February to early March, Health Minister Adham Baba said in a statement.
A total of 60 cases had been cured and discharged, while 15 were currently being held in intensive care and in need of assisted breathing.
Malaysia has reported the country's first death cases on Tuesday, with two patients with COVID-19 passed away.
The government started implementation of the "movement control order" including closing shops and schools as well as imposing travel bans, calling for residents to stay at home in an effort to contain the COVID-19 outbreak following a spike of cases in the past days.
Minister Adham also urged the public to comply with the comprehensive restrictive measures in place from March 18 to March 31, including travel bans, warning that those who failed to do so would face penalties.
The police have also announced a ban of interstate travel, preventing people crossing state lines unless they had secured permission from authorities.
